Thailand pauses 89 seconds to remember King Bhumibol

Thailand pauses 89 seconds to remember King Bhumibol

Mourners observe 89 seconds of silence at Future Park Rangsit department store in Pathum Thani at 3.52pm on Friday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
Mourners observe 89 seconds of silence at Future Park Rangsit department store in Pathum Thani at 3.52pm on Friday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

People across Thailand observed 89 seconds of silence at 3.52pm to show their respect for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away one year ago.

Both the public and private sectors had urged the public to observe 89 seconds of silence, to reflect the age of the beloved King Bhumibol, who passed away in his 89th year on Oct 13, 2016 at 3.52pm.

Mourners pay their respects in front of a portrait of the late King Bhumibol with 89 seconds of silence at Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok. (Video Twitter/@SiniZeR)

People dressed in black thronged Siriraj Hospital, where the late King received medical treatment and passed away, to offer alms to 199 monks in the morning. They also joined in the silent tribute.

Long queues of people waited to pay their respects before the portrait of the late King Bhumibol installed next to the Grand Palace, braving the late-morning rain.

Thais make merit & observe 89 seconds of silence in honour of the late King.

The Royal Household Bureau has invited the public to submit images of their memories of the late King Bhumibol captured over the past year.    

Each person can submit up to 10 images taken in a one-year period from Oct 13, 2016 to Oct 17, 2017, together with photographs taken after the royal cremation ceremony, until Nov 30.

The images should be submitted via https://photoking9.ohm.go.th, by e-mail to photoking9@mail.go.th or via the postal service. 

A total of 12.7 million people paid their respects before the royal urn placed inside the Grand Palace over a 337-day period.

Thailand is counting down to another sad day on Oct 26, when the beloved king will be created at the royal crematorium built at Sanam Luang in front of the Grand Palace.

The royal cremation date has been declared as a public holiday. Private sector businesses including banks, department stores and discount stores have announced that they will be closed - either the whole day or just in the afternoon - to allow their employees to watch the ceremony. 

Earlier stories:

Thais throng Siriraj hospital to make merit for late King

King Rama X to lead ceremony 

Remembering The Great King 

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