A gentle chatter of voices softly breaks the air, conveying sweet and warm stories and memories of the King as those assembled begin to share their impressions of the revered monarch.
Seven days after the death of beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the waves of sorrow appear to be subsiding. Yesterday tears were replaced with light smiles on the faces of senior parliamentarians who joined Thais throughout the country in the Buddhist rite of almsgiving to monks to make a grand merit to His Majesty.
Seven days after the King’s death, they were playing their part in a time-honoured Buddhist tradition.
But unlike the intensely depressing atmosphere seen on the first days after his passing, the late King’s loyal subjects yesterday seemed in a more relaxed mood.
Though everyone wore the black of mourning and a subtle broken-hearted atmosphere could still be felt, light smiles began to flicker across the group again as they came together to do one of the last things they could for their cherished King – sending his spirit to a better place where he could rest after decades of hard work and years of ill health.
President of the National Legislative Assembly, Pornpetch Vichitcholchai, appeared at ease as he led the legislators, reform council members and constitution writers in the ritual giving of alms to the 89 monks.
One by one after the first monk appeared in line, alms were placed in their bowls.
“I’m not sure about the spirit acknowledging his death. But I guess making merit comforts the living through this difficult time, like they can do something even after his death,” one elderly monk among the 89 said.
Looking relaxed, Pornpetch said after the rite: “I would follow King Bhumibol’s principle of reigning in righteousness by working honestly to serve public interests, and would acknowledge the succession to the throne of the new king as soon as |conditions allowed.”
Constitution writer Prapan Naiko-vit’s 69-year-old wife Pimjai, who joined her husband in making merit, said that as a medical laboratory technologist, she could understand the seriousness of the King’s health condition and had prepared for his loss for quite some time.
Of course, when the time came it hit her hard, but she could accept it quickly too.
“I joined [my husband] today because I want to make merit for His Majesty. I want to go to the Grand Palace too if I can. It is the last thing we can all do for him,” Pimjai told The Nation in humble tones.
Throughout the day after the morning almsgiving, the Parliament was filled with the songs by popular singer Thongchai McIntyre, which praised the beloved King as the tree that provides shade to all.
The hall of the front building also exhibited the work and life of the late King Bhumibol and was frequently visited by people of all ages coming to appreciate the great monarch one last time.