During his final days, Siriraj Hospital, where King Bhumibol was admitted, became a sacred place to which scores of Thais flocked in hope of being graced by his presence.
In October 2016, the square in front of the 100th Year Siriraj Centennial Hall saw throngs of people praying for the good health of the king.
The well-wishers hoped their presence and collective voice would be acknowledged by their beloved king who was on the 16th floor of the Chalermphrakiet Building.
However, the prayers gave way to weeping on Oct 13 after news of the king's passing broke.
The late king's subjects had been keeping track of his health condition since he was hospitalised in September 2009. People were delighted when they learned that King Bhumibol was discharged from hospital and that he was staying at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province for about a year between August 2013 to 2014 and again in May 2015.
The king returned to hospital for the last time on May 31, 2015.
This hospital served not only as a place for medical treatment but also his office. During this time, he was active and gave advice to relevant authorities such as in 2011, when he helped initiate four projects in order to solve the problems of major flooding and traffic jams.
At the lawn of the 100th Year Siriraj Centennial Hall lies a landmark statue of Prince Mahidol, the father of the late king who was a doctor. This statue enjoys a sacred status and is a place where people come to pray for their loved ones to recover from illness.
But since King Bhumibol's passing, the statue has gained new significance. It has also been converted into a symbol of remembrance of the late king.
If one was to stand and face the Prince Mahidol statue, they can also get a glimpse of two other statues situated inside the hall: one of King Bhumibol and another of his mother, Princess Srinagarindra.
Apisak Chuachan, a 42-year-old professional singer said he would come to this today for prayers until late afternoon when people commemorate the king's passing at 3.52pm.
"On the night of Oct 13, 2016, I was there," he said adding that he would go to Ratchabophit Temple in the evening where the late king's relics are kept to continue praying.
Aunty To, a 70-year-old lottery seller sitting in one of the benches situated around the Prince Mahidol statue, said she sees lots of people come every day in order to pay respect to the late king as well as his parents.
She stated that during the time the late king was hospitalised at Siriraj, she had paid her respects over 400 times.
"I keep track of the cards [photos given to visitors] they give when you go in to pay respect," she said with a smile, adding that she loved the late king with all her heart because he was a good person who did good things for Thailand.
As she lives near the hospital, she has been coming to Siriraj almost every day for several decades and was there during King Bhumibol's stay and when he drew his final breath.
"People were crying, tears streaming down their faces," remembered the 70-year-old.
Reluctant to give an interview at first, she finally mentioned that she had seen King Bhumibol on various occasions when he came down from his room to pay respect to the statues of his parents.
"His presence made me happy. It was awe-inspiring and made my heart beat fast every time," uttered Aunty To who was recounting her encounter with the late king.
As she was telling her account of King Bhumibol, visitors were spotted laying flower garlands and kneeling to pray in front of the statue.
Most of them were relatives of the patients hospitalised at the hospital.
"If the other altars were not put away, there would be tonnes and tonnes of flower garlands," she said, referring to altars which were removed in preparation for an event today. Only one alter filled with flowers was left standing in place.
Inside the building, people were spotted coming in to lay flower garlands and pray at the statue of the late king.
"I still miss him. I pray for him every day," she said.
Supawadee Janngam, 33, a housekeeping staff member at the hospital said lots of people come every day to pay respect and pray at the statue, remembering the late king.
She said the statue and the building itself have come to symbolise the late king, because it was the place where Thais came to pray for the king until his last breath.
"It became a landmark that is intertwined with the king himself," she said.
Flower garlands were laid until she could no longer keep track of them. "I had a hard time putting them away," she said.