People have long known their beloved King worked very hard for their well-being.
But during the past month, as media outlets paid tributes to the King, the public has been exposed to a much clearer picture of the extent of the King’s devotion to his people.
Far from fading from the memory of the people, His Majesty’s image has become even more vivid and cherished.
Nawamon Riensombut, 45, said it was clear the late King had observed all “the 10 virtues of a King”.
“To name a few, they are self-control, gentleness and sacrifice,” she said.
Nawamon and her husband have volunteered at Sanam Luang since October 14 – the day His Majesty’s body was moved to the adjacent Grand Palace.
“We collected garbage from mourners initially. But after the registration of volunteers started, we became PR staff to provide information, answer inquiries and hand out food to others,” she said.
Nawamon runs an export company so during weekdays she has volunteered from 3pm to 8pm, while on weekdays she begins at 8am.
“Out of his devotion, His Majesty planted the seeds of virtues. His people want to follow in his footsteps, to do good things for the country,” she said, as she carried out her volunteer duties.
In another corner of Sanam Luang, mourner Mong Sae-Tang has been praying and meditating in dedication to the late King.
“I have been here every single day since October 14,” he said.
Mong said his mindfulness had grown over time and he had become more determined to follow the inspiring King’s guidance.
His Majesty’s royal speeches, advice and teachings have received extensive coverage on TV, radio and social media, with advertising spaces on buses, the Skytrain and subway, and shopping malls now dedicated to the King.
People across the country continue to wear black and white while people who don other coloured attire often also wear black ribbons to symbolise the mourning period for the King.
As The Nation surveyed Skytrain passengers yesterday morning, most people were seen to not play games or read entertainment gossip on their mobile phones, instead reading articles about the late King.
Since His Majesty’s passing, crowds of mourners have gathered every day around the Grand Palace or Sanam Luang.
Mourners form long lines, hoping for a chance to prostrate themselves before the King inside the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
Due to the great number of mourners, the Royal Household Bureau has started allowing the first group to enter the Throne Hall at 4.50am.
Various kinds of activities have been held in remembrance of the late King, and more than 8.1 million people have already signed farewell messages.
Thawatchai Akturaprachun, a high-profile cyclist and head of a bicycle club in Nakhon Pathom province, yesterday led 400 cyclists in biking 200 kilometres to Sanam Luang in a tribute to the King.
“Today marks one month after King’s passing, so we wanted to cycle here in memory of the King. Everyone in our club has been grateful and feels connected to him. Our reverence to him never fades even for a nanosecond. It has rather become stronger over the last month,” the 68-year-old said.
Thawatchai said he would arrange another mass cycling trip soon to emphasise his will to exercise in order to keep healthy physically and mentally as the King had done through his interest in sports.
Thawatchai added that he had also been withdrawing himself from an extravagant lifestyle after learning of the King’s demise.
“His Majesty has taught us about the sufficiency economy philosophy. So I am embracing it,” he said. “I used to have meals outside with my friends and family regularly. But now, I go for homemade meals.”