Thai king’s death weighs heavily in their hearts
GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia - The temple supervisor of Wat Chaiya Mangalaram in Burmah Lane said she had prayed for King Bhumibol’s health at a statue of his father Prince Mahidol during her visits to Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital for treatment.
Like Thais everywhere, Wanpen Piyawat is distressed by the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The temple supervisor of Wat Chaiya Mangalaram in Burmah Lane here said she had prayed for King Bhumibol’s health at a statue of his father Prince Mahidol during her visits to Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital for treatment.
Wanpen, who has been residing in Penang for 34 years after marrying a Malaysian, said she would travel back to Bangkok every three months.
“I have seen the King at the hospital. Sometimes, I would see people lining up along the roadside and chanting 'Long Live the King',” said Wanpen, 64.
“Like everyone else, I would pray to the King’s father with the hope that the King would get well soon,” she said at the temple Friday.
Wanpen said she could not stop crying after hearing news of King Bhumibol’s death on Thursday.
“We had been hoping for good news. We could not sleep or eat. Everyone was in tears. I would say that the whole of Thailand is in tears. All of us loved the King. He has done a lot for Thailand,” she added.
In Kota Baru, the Thai community was saddened by his passing.
Kelantan, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Siamese Community Association president Eh Pon Awani Din said the King was an icon of unity who was deeply revered.
He was entrenched in the hearts and minds of Thais, he said.
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