King Vajiralongkorn marks 50th day since father’s demise

Also present were several royals, including HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Somsavali.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) passed away on October 13 this year.
His only son has now succeeded him as Thailand’s new monarch.
The late king received treatment at Siriraj Hospital for years before he passed away peacefully at the age of 89.
Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital also staged a merit-making ceremony to mark the 50th day of the late king’s demise in its Bangkok-based compound yesterday.
The ceremony started with participants giving alms to 89 monks.
Prof Prasit Watanapa, the dean of the faculty, delivered a speech in remembrance of the late monarch followed by participants observing 89 seconds of silence and singing the Royal Anthem.
In Khon Kaen province, teachers and students of the Khon Kaen School for the Blind formed the Thai number 9 to express their loyalty to the late king, who was the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. In 1984, he brought the Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under his royal patronage to help boost the quality of life among visually-impaired children.
“We have embraced His Majesty’s guidance in improving the lives of these children,” the foundation’s director Chalermchai Jittayasothon said.
According to him, visually-impaired children are taught to take care of themselves, acquire knowledge for their livelihoods and contribute to the society.
In Ratchaburi province, about 1,200 students at Suanphueng Wittaya School joined a ritual to pay their respects to the late monarch. They observed 89 seconds of silence and laid prostrate before a portrait of the late king.
Afterwards, they formed Karen words that meant “Love Dad” with colour plates and the Thai numeral of 9 in honour of the late king, who reigned for seven decades.
Palace officials are now decorating Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district, where the late monarch resided for several years, with yellow flowers. Yellow is the colour associated with his birthday, which is on Monday.
A large number of people are expected at the Palace on December 5 to express their gratitude to the late monarch on his birthday anniversary.
The number of mourners queuing in front of the Grand Palace is also expected to soar this weekend. Approximately 45,000 people have travelled to the Palace daily to pay homage in front of the late King’s Royal Urn.
The number of visitors is expected to grow as rounds of praying inside the hall will be reduced starting today, said the Minister to Prime Minister’s Office Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana who heads the centre.
As well, the entrance will be closed at 9pm, Suwaphan said, but the centre will ensure that the remaining people will be given a chance to pay tribute.
Traffic around Sanam Luang compound will remain closed during the long weekend.
Twenty medical service points will be available around the clock to provide health care, especially for the elderly, he said. In response to government and private sector mourners wishing to organise activities in tribute to the late King, the Peace and Order Maintaining Joint Command will set up a special committee to look into their appropriateness, he said.