Photos: Thailand prepares lavish funeral for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Updated On Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST
A day to first anniversary of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death, preparations in the capital Bangkok are underway for a lavish farewell after the monarch’s 70 year rule --the longest of any ruler as an adult-- which saw him hailed as a demigod in the Southeast Asian nation for decades.
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Updated on Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST
Thai dancers gather at the Great Victory Royal Chariot that will carry the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s body in a giant ornate urn to the cremation site, in Bangkok, Thailand. The nation is putting the finishing touches this month to a lavish five-day funeral ceremony in a final goodbye to its monarch, who helped shape the Southeast Asian nation for decades after World War Two. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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Updated on Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST
An aerial view shows the Royal Crematorium site for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok. Artisans have worked for ten months in Bangkok’s ancient quarter to build an elaborate cremation site fashioned after a vision of heaven, where Thais believe dead royals return to live above Mount Meru, a golden mountain in Hindu mythology. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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Updated on Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST
Well-wishers hold pictures of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the last day the authorities allow people to pay their respect to the late king in the throne hall in Bangkok. Hundreds of thousands of black-clad mourners are expected to camp for days near Bangkok’s Grand Palace to catch a glimpse of the ceremonies, which will be guarded by 78,000 police officers and culminate in the cremation on October 26. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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Updated on Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST
Deity sculptures which will be used at the Royal Crematorium for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej are seen in Bangkok. Among the many royal objects restored for the funeral is a golden chariot that will carry the king’s body in a giant ornate urn to the cremation site. The urn will move to the Royal Crematorium before the cremation, which has been declared a national holiday. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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Royalists pay their respect during a funeral rehearsal near the Grand Palace. The funeral of King Bhumibol who died on October 13 last year after seven decades on the throne, is also a time of uncertainty for some Thais, said a Thailand-based analyst, who declined to be identified because of sensitivities around the monarchy. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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The Royal Crematorium for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej under construction is seen in Bangkok. Though steeped in ancient traditions, the funeral of King Bhumibol will permit more public participation than those of previous kings, according to Thai monarchy expert Tongthong Chandransu. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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Updated on Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST
Artists work on deity sculptures which will decorate the funeral pyre of the late King Adulyadej, near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. More than 3,000 performers will join in a nightlong final tribute of music and puppet shows to end a year of mourning. Thais devoted to the memory of the king have folded paper flowers for his cremation, making 10 million in Bangkok alone, city authorities said. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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The late king was succeeded by his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X. A strong bond has been formed between the people and the monarchy – the strongest compared to past reigns, Tongthong told Reuters, adding that more people will be seen participating in the royal funeral of this people’s king. (Athit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)
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Updated on Oct 12, 2017 03:19 PM IST