THE air of sorrow shrouding Thailand in the wake of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s demise is nothing short of overwhelming, with the kingdom’s shaken population donning black to mourn the loss of their beloved monarch and leading international figures pouring in condolence messages from across the globe.
At the time of this writing, thousands mourners have descended on the pathways of the Siriraj Hospital — where the monarch breathed his last peacefully on Thursday afternoon — to join the procession of his remains to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, inside the Grand Palace where a royal bathing ceremony is set to take stage.
Black clothes + searing heat + grief is a harsh combo. Thai palace workers are fanning off mourners who faint near the gates. pic.twitter.com/n21jGqL415
— Patrick Winn (@pwinn5) October 14, 2016
Many people in the large crowd that had been holding a vigil outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok broke down with emotion Thursday evening. Many held pictures of the king and wore yellow or pink clothing in his honor.
In the Sukhumvit commercial district of the capital, humanitarian worker Gaewkarn Fuangtong was sobbing.
“I lost one of the most important people in my life. I feel like I haven’t done enough for him. I should have done more. I will do good, do better for his sake.”
Office worker Patcharatida Jamsrijun, said “My heart sank,” upon hearing of the king’s passing.
A woman cries as Thais pray for Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital where the king is being treated in Bangkok, Thailand. Pic: AP.
The U.N. General Assembly and Security Council stood in silent tribute to King Bhumibol, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called him “a unifying national leader” who is “highly respected internationally.”
Assembly President Peter Thompson asked the assembly at the start of Thursday’s meeting to stand for a moment of silence in tribute to the king, who died earlier in the day. Shortly after, Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Petr Iliichev, did the same at the start of a Security Council meeting.
The assembly, the council, and the secretary-general sent condolences to the royal family, the government and people of Thailand.
Crowds flock the streets of Bangkok, Thailand to mourn the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This image was taken some two kilometers away from from the palace where visitors have arrived in droves to pay their last respects to the king. Pic taken by Surekha Ragavan.
“At this time of sorrow and loss,” Ban said, “I hope that Thailand will continue to honor King Bhumibol’s legacy of commitment to universal values and respect for human rights.”
SEE ALSO: Thai PM: Crown Prince seeks delay in proclamation as King
U.S. President Barack Obama offered his condolences to Thailand, calling King Bhumibol a tireless champion of his country’s development who also showed an “unflagging devotion” to improving the standard of living for the Thai people.
Obama said the king was a close friend of the United States and a valued partner of many U.S. presidents. He recalled meeting the king during a 2012 visit to Thailand.
“The king leaves behind a legacy of care for the Thai people that future generations will cherish,” he said.
All shopping malls in #Thailand are open as normal. Life goes on for Thai people even though they are in mourning for King Bhumibol pic.twitter.com/pXdkXzktPg
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) October 14, 2016
Russian President Vladimir Putin noted Thailand’s achievements during his 70-year reign.
Putin said King Bhumibol has presided over successful economic development and contributed to the strengthening of Thailand’s positions abroad. He said in his telegram that the king won “sincere love of his people and high respect abroad.”
According to the Kremlin, Putin also noted in his letter that the king will be remembered in Russia for his support of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
China credited King Bhumibol for his “remarkable contributions” to Thailand’s development.
Thai’s mourn the loss of King Bhumibol Adulyadej by handing out portraits of him for free. Image taken by Surekha Ragavan
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Bhumibol worked to strengthen ties between China and Thailand and “made an irreplaceable contribution to cementing the two people’s friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation.”
“China deeply mourns King Bhumibol’s passing and expresses sincere condolences to the Thai people and government,” the ministry said.
SEE ALSO: Thailand’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies aged 88
Dutch King Willem-Alexander also paid tribute to his late Thai counterpart, praising him for “emphasizing the values of harmony and peaceful cooperation in his country.”
Willem-Alexander says in a statement that “my wife, my mother and I have warm memories of our meetings” with the king.
European leaders also expressed sympathy.
British Prime Minister Theresa May issued a statement expressing “my sincere personal condolences to the royal family and the people of Thailand on the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”
“His Majesty guided the Kingdom of Thailand with dignity, dedication and vision throughout his life. He will be greatly missed,” she said.
A street peddler sells coin souvenirs of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Image taken by Surekha Ragavan.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told Sweden’s TT news agency, “My condolences to the royal family but also to the whole Thai people. King Bhumibol has meant a lot to the Thai people. That one can notice when in Thailand.”
Finland’s Foreign Minister Timo Soini tweeted: “I’m deeply saddened to receive the news about the passing of His Majesty the King; sincere condolences to the people of Thailand.”
7.40am Many people line the streets near Grand Palace for the King Bhumibol's funeral procession. pic.twitter.com/ocF6vaQPzW
— ThaiPBS English News (@ThaipbsEngNews) October 14, 2016
According to the Associated Press, the government announced a one-year mourning period and a 30-day moratorium on state events, and all public offices and schools will fly flags at half-staff for 30 days.
However, businesses, tourist attractions and public transport were to remain open Friday because of the government’s desire not to hurt the sputtering economy.
Television channels were running non-stop footage devoted to the life of the king, who was deeply revered and held up as a unifying figure in the politically fractious country despite two coups in the last decade alone.
Most Thais have seen no other king in their lifetime and thought of Bhumibol, who reigned for 70 years, as their father and the embodiment of goodness and godliness.
Although a constitutional monarch, he wielded enormous political power and served as a unifying figure during Thailand’s numerous political crises. But in recent years, he suffered from a variety of illnesses that affected his kidneys, brain, lungs, heart and blood. He remained publicly detached from recent political upheavals, including the 2014 coup that brought Prayuth, an army general, to power.
Additional reporting from the Associated Press
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