Colorful clothes made a comeback on Thailand's streets after the official end of the year of mourning for late King Bhumibol. Thais wore black from head-to-toe out of respect for their revered monarch.
Image: Reuters/A. Perawongmetha
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Many Thais put on their brightly-colored clothes on Monday as Thailand officially ended the year of mourning for its late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, following an elaborate and expensive five-day funeral.
They had donned just black in the past year to mourn the death of their beloved king.
The official end of the mourning period was marked on Monday by the taking down of black-and-white funeral bunting that had hung on the gates of Bangkok's Government House for a year.
A sea of black-clad mourners descended on Bangkok for the funeral of King BhumibolImage: DW/@rockkhound
"This doesn't mean my love for His Majesty stopped," said Nithakan Rujiratkasemkij, a 40-year-old business owner in Bangkok, wearing a light pink dress.
"His Majesty taught us that we need to move on in life, but with consciousness," Nithakan said.
Some stay muted
29-year-old May Kanokwattana, an office worker, wore bright yellow as she waited at a major Bangkok transport interchange.
"I wore black for one year. I needed to show my sorrow. Today is the first day I am wearing a different color," May said, who also donned a pin with the Thai number nine out of respect for King Bhumibol, who was the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty.
Thailand's King Bhumibol - a life in pictures
Thailand's beloved monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej has passed away, leaving the nation in a state of utter grief. For over seven decades, he was seen as a unifying figure in the country. It's unclear what happens next.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The 'eternal king' is no more
At the age of 88, King Bhumibol died at the Siriraj hospital in Thailand's capital Bangkok, the royal palace said in a statement. No other Thai monarch had reigned as long. This June, Thais had celebrated his 70th jubilee. Bhumibol spent much of his time over the past few years in hospital with various health problems.
Image: AP
Prayers for an idol
Until the very end, the Thai people hoped that the doctors would once again be able to save and extend the life of the world's longest-reigning living monarch. But the aged king had suffered from acute pneumonia, in addition to a string of major health issues such as renal failure.
Image: Reuters/C. Subprasom
A world traveler
Born on December 5, 1927, in the US, Bhumibol spent much of his childhood and youth in Switzerland. Even after his coronation, he and his wife Sirikit remained frequent travelers and toured the world. The couple had four children: three daughters and one son.
Image: imago/Xinhua
Deeply revered
The king was widely revered in the country until his death. Bhumibol ascended to the Thai throne in 1946, when he was just 18-years old. The royal portrait is seen not only on the country's bank notes and stamps, but also in people's houses, even if it's not mandated by the state.
Image: Reuters/S. Teepapan
No criticism allowed
Supported by his popularity among the people and protected by a rigid "lèse majesté" law - which makes criticism of the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison - Bhumibol repeatedly pursued his interests, while contributing much to the cohesion of Thailand's divided society. To that end, he relied on a well-entrenched royalist network within the political, business and military classes.
Image: Reuters/A. Perawongmetha
A hobby photographer
In his private life, Bhumibol's hobbies included music and photography. The camera was one of the monarch's loyal companions. He also worked as a jazz musician and composed his own tunes. He once even played with jazz legend Benny Goodman.
Image: PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
An omnipresent figure
Although Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy, Bhumibol was more than a symbolic figure. He shaped the political, economic and social destinies of the country for decades.
Image: Reuters/J. Silva
A sacrosanct
Despite the political turmoil that shook Thailand during his reign, with a total of 17 coups taking place, Bhumibol was seen as a unifying figure in the Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (center of photo) is seen commemorating the 70th anniversary of the king's reign in June this year.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/L. Suwanrumpha
The succession
The royal succession is an extremely sensitive topic in Thailand. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the king's 64-year-old son, is the heir apparent, but he has not achieved the same level of devotion that his father enjoyed. That's why it's rumored that some in Thailand favor the crown prince's more popular sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn (left), to take the throne.
Image: picture-alliance/ATP
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Pattinya Mankongwongcharoen, a 49-year-old accountant, wore a peach-coloured dress.
"I won't continue wearing black because the mourning period is officially over and to do so would be disrespectful."
Others said they would continue to wear muted colors.
"I'm still grieving. I'll wear black or grey for a few more weeks," said shop owner Pimsuda Chatree.
Black shirts sell briskly in Thailand
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Black-colored clothes were in high demand after King Bhumibol's death last year, causing shortages in many stores. Those who could not afford new clothes chose to dye their old clothes black.
Colors have a profound meaning for Thais who assign a color to each day of the week based on astrology.
King Bhumibol was born on a Monday, a day associated with the color yellow. His heir and only son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was also born on a Monday.
