Thais at every strata of society burst into tears upon the official announcement of the loss of their greatly beloved King. Some did not want to accept the moment of truth while others promised to follow the King's guidelines and be his subjects in every life.
The first experience of the reality struck the crowds at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital where the King had been treated.
Many broke down in tears and hugged each other. Others shouted "Long live the King" and looked to the floor of the Chalermphrakiet Building where the King had been treated. Many announced their wish to be his servants for every life, many sang the royal anthem, and many stood in silence and held the King's portrait to their chests.
In other provinces, everyday activities came to sudden halt and shock spread as the national loss was announced on TV at about 7pm. Many said they still doubted it really happened.
The sudden heart-breaking moment was overwhelmingly obvious at markets as people were buying food and saw the announcement on the TVs of local vendors.
Businesswoman Sajja Lee-aporn covered her mouth with her both hands as her children were hugging and consoling her at a market in the central municipality of Trat province.
"Thai people and the nation have lost the world's best king," she said, adding it was hard for her to accept the moment occurred.
In Nakhon Ratchasima province, vendors at Nong Phailom market in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima district burst into tears. Some of them vowed to follow the King's sufficiency guideline and others raised the King's portraits and mourned the death in tears.
"I could hardly endure listening to the announcement. My heart is shattered. I wish it did not happen," said vendor Siriporn Padungrat, 62. "I wish His Majesty will be in heaven and my family will follow the King's teaching on sufficiency."
Video by Jiraporn Kuhakan