CityNews – On October 13th, 2016, great sadness swept the country after an official announcement by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had peacefully passed away at 3.52pm at the age of 88 years, after reigning over the kingdom for 70 years.
Prayut Chan-o-cha declared one year of mourning, with flags being flown at half mast for 30 says starting today, October 14, 2016.
Civil servants have been asked to wear black for the duration of mourning, and the general public have been asked to follow for a time they find personally appropriate and to use their judgement in all things during this time. All types of entertainment must be ‘toned down’ for 30 days, and all official events have been cancelled.
This afternoon, at 1pm, the funeral procession for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will start from Siriraj Hospital and end at the Grand Palace. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will hold a water pouring ceremony at 5pm in the Piman Rattaya hall, Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
The public have been invited to join a public water pouring ceremony in front of his image from 8.30pm to 12pm at the Sahathai Samakom Pavilion in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
In Chiang Mai, Governor Prawin Chamniprasart held a book signing ceremony at City Hall this morning and a ceremony will be held at Wat Phra Singh from 2pm where the public may attend and pay their respects. People have been asked to wear black or dark clothes.
Another book signing event will take place at Chiang Mai University at 3.30pm today, at the Dhamma Pavilion.
Citylife and all of our staff join the people of Thailand on this day to mourn our nation’s father, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The world’s longest serving monarch, the head of our nation and the father of our people.