Despite heavy rain, mourners in Bangkok lined up in a long queue from early yesterday morning in front of a portrait of the King at the Grand Palace. Many people travelled to the capital from upcountry, having camped at nearby Sanam Luang since Saturday night.
In northeastern provinces, mourners gave alms to monks while in some areas, where the traditional practice of sculpting angel palaces from wax is carried out to make grand merit to Lord Buddha and the deaths of loved ones, special palaces were made for His Majesty as well.
Thiwa Rungkaew from Si Sa Ket province said many residents of the province had created wax angel palaces filled with items such as candles, incense, clothes, and food, to make merit for His Majesty. Locals believe the dead need those items in the next life.
In Bueng Kan province, locals and their Laotian neighbours jointly gave alms to monks yesterday morning to make merit for His Majesty.
In Nong Khai, people gave alms to monks in the morning and paid respects to highly respected spirits and spiritual places, including Mae Song Nang, Naga, and the prominent stupa in the Mekong River, to make merit for His Majesty.
Nong Khai officials called for the suspension of all entertainment, leaving only its traditional Naga ball watching to proceed to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent.
Scores of residents in Ubon Ratchathani congregated yesterday at the province’s main ground, Thung Sri Muang, to mourn the King’s passing in front of a portrait of him.
In the North, many Chiang Mai residents and highlands people congregated at the City Hall ground to mourn His Majesty. Around 500 lined up in a heart shape.
Governor Pawin Chamniprasart said Chiang Mai residents, especially highlands people, felt gratitude for the King’s kindness and his efforts to help improve their quality of life. The King, he said, had initiated several royal projects in the province.
In Mae Hong Son, residents held a traditional alms-giving ritual in which alms were given to monks who walked from the mountain-based Kong Moo Stupa temple. It signified Lord Buddha coming down from Heaven to the Earth for the making of merit at the end of the Buddhist Lent.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya led senior agriculture officials to pay tribute to His Majesty at Khun Dan dam in Nakhon Nayok. The King had suggested the dam be built to relieve residents’ suffering from flooding and drought.