Long Live the King

Thailand’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej died last October and has been lying in state at the Grand Palace ever since. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Thais have paid their final respects to the King during this 12 month mourning period. This week was the start of a lavish, 5-day… $90,000,000 (!!!)… funeral, in Bangkok, which will be attended by Heads of State, Royalty from around the world, and… most importantly… thousands upon thousands of Thai people from around the country. I type these words mere hours before the King is cremated on Thursday, at 10pm, Bangkok time in a newly completed royal crematorium on the palace grounds.

 King Rama IX, as he is also known, was this country’s most revered King. We’ve been fortunate enough to visit Thailand 3 times (more for Mike) since the King’s passing and am struck every time by the overwhelming sorrow of the Thai people. Everywhere… from the moment you step off the plane into the Suvarnabhumi Airport… you are made aware of the King’s passing with huge posters, billboards, and yes… kitschy mementos in the gifts shops… of the late King, always draped in black silk with an abundance of fresh flowers… usually yellow. King Bhumibol was born on a Monday… a day the Thais associate with the color yellow. Every hotel we’ve stayed at in Thailand, during this year of mourning, has had a book near their picture of the King for guests to leave their condolences to the Thai people. It really personalizes their loss for those of us not from Thailand.

The Thai people often referred to the King as “father”, because he is considered the father of all Thais, and his passing has left a huge void. Many even considered the King, whose seven-decade rule made him the world’s longest serving monarch, to be a demigod. Most of the year, but this week in particular, Thais, expats, and visitors have all been encouraged to wear black out of respect for the King and his royal family.  

Mike and I will be flying into Bangkok early Saturday morning… just as the year of mourning comes to an end… and feel fortunate that we will be able to see the fantastic structures built for this historical occasion. I also feel lucky to be missing out on the worst of the crowds!

Thailand steals your heart… it really does. That’s one of the reasons we go back so often… the people, their culture, the sites, the food… it’s all sensational. So it’s for those reasons, and many more, why I can’t help but have a heavy heart this week for a nation who is saying goodbye to their beloved King.

Thrng phra ceriy!