The funeral for Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej marks the end of an era. A period of instability looms large over Thailand, with military generals running the country with an iron fist and political parties in disarray.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/K. Rodsupan
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Thousands of people have gathered around the Grand Palace in Bangkok to pay tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The late king's five-day funeral will start Thursday.
Bhumibol, who reigned for 70 years and died last year in October at the age of 88, was more than just a king for most Thais. He was a role model for citizens. In times of political upheaval in the country, Bhumibol often played his role as a mediator between feuding political groups.
Thailand is currently undergoing a political crisis, with former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's family practically out of politics and the military ruling the country with an iron fist. In the present situation, King Bhumibol's absence is severely felt by the Thai people.
A teacher, a role model
Kluey Sooksom made a long journey to Bangkok to pay her respect to the late king.
"Bhumibol was very much a down-to-earth king. I'm really sad that he's no longer with us," Kluey told DW.
King Bhumibol was known for advising the Thai people on their day-to-day issues, for example how to be a good Buddhist, or how to lead an austere life.
"I followed his philosophy that it is important to stand on one's own feet. The king taught us that we shouldn't take loans when we don't really need them. I have always followed his teachings and it has done me well," Kluey said.
Tyomgyot Klintoesen, a teacher, likens Bhumibol to a "professor."
"His life teaches me that we must pass on our knowledge to others," Tyomgyot told DW.
A group of some 300 volunteers are making sure everything goes smoothly at the funeral.
"We want to do this for the king," Butsaba Tuntipiboon, a volunteer, told DW. "It's our way to pay him [Bhumibol] respect."
Thailand prepares for King Bhumibol's funeral
Dressed in black and bearing yellow flowers, thousands of Thai people pay tribute to King Bhumibol, who died a year ago. Thailand-based photographer Rockkhound captures the mood in Bangkok during the five-day funeral.
Image: DW/@rockkhound
Volunteers prepare a funeral of superlatives
Thousands of volunteers dressed all in black have gathered in Bangkok near the Royal Palace to prepare the city for the five-day funeral ceremony for the late King Bhumipol. The monarch, who many refer to as the "father of all Thais," died last October after ruling for more than 7 decades. Thailand-based photographer @rockkhound took these photos for DW's Instagram account @dw_stories
Image: DW/@rockkhound
Flowers for a king
Over the last months, dedicated volunteers and artisans have prepared Bangkok for the king's cremation on October 26. Parks and flower beds around the Royal Palace are full of yellow marigolds, a flower associated with the king because its color represents Monday, the day he was born.
Image: DW/@rockkhound
Protecting the palace and ceremony
The five-day funeral is one of superlatives, involving thousands of volunteers, musicians and performers. Some 80,000 security personnel will be deployed while 250,000 people are expected to attend the events. Since the king's death last October, more than 12 million people have prostrated themselves in front of his coffin at the Grand Palace, where he has remained prior to his cremation.
Image: DW/@rockkhound
Last respects for a much-loved monarch
Volunteers dressed in black and with raincapes gather in front of one of the many giant posters of the king along the palace walls. These monochrome posters are scattered throughout the city and have served as points for Thais to pay respect to the world's longest ruling monarch, whom many in the country worshipped as a demigod.
Image: @rockkhound
Ornate replicas for the people
Only a limited number of mourners will be granted access to the ceremony at the Royal Crematorium, which was built especially for King Bhumibol. All other Thais will pay their respects to the king at ornate replicas, like this one. There are nine such replicas in Bangkok, each topped with a golden spire symbolizing Mount Meru, the center of the Hindu and Buddhist universe.
Image: @rockkhound
A year of mourning
Thailand has been in mourning since the king died last year on Oct. 13. Government workers and many citizens have worn black. Businesses have published billboards with condolences, and giant monochrome posters of the king line city streets. Small stands like this one near the Royal Palace sell souvenirs with Bhumibol's face printed on them to mourners.
Image: @rockkhound
Waiting for the ceremony to begin
Authorities have published strict regulations on clothing and conduct for those attending the funeral processions. People are advised to wear black and long pants or skirts. Jeans and tight clothes are discouraged. Anyone who attends must have an ID card. Loud noise and selfies are prohibited during the procession and cremation.
Image: @rockkhound
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A period of uncertainty
A final farewell to King Bhumibol could well mean that the political conflict that has bitterly divided the Thai nation for many years would resurface.
"Thailand is at a critical juncture," Paul Chambers, a lecturer of politics at Naresuan University, told DW.
"A long period of perceived stability under a father figure is now transiting to an era in which many Thais are unsure about their future," Chambers said.
The uncertainty is partly triggered by Bhumibol's only son and successor Maha Vajiralongkorn's detachment with Thailand. The 64-year old spends most of his time in Germany and is not very popular among the Thai people. It's unclear how Vajiralongkorn will be as new king once the mourning period for Bhumibol is over.
"There is a perception that Bhumibol's successor can't emulate his father," Chambers said. "Vajiralongkorn understands that he's not popular and that he cannot take chances. That is why he has taken direct control of some royal agencies and is trying to be acceptable to all sections of the military."
