Thailand goes black in mourning
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Thailand, a country often associated with the bright colours of its various social movements, was predominantly dressed in black yesterday as the official mourning period began following the passing away of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Train commuters, convenience store workers and even joggers in central Bangkok’s Lumpini Park took to wearing black to mark the passing of the country’s deeply revered King.
People camped out overnight in front of Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital,where the King died on Thursday afternoon, and others were continuing to arrive from outside the capital to pay their last tributes.
Woraporn Jukkhom travelled to Bangkok from Lampang province, 600 kilometres north, as soon as she heard the news on Thursday night.
“I just had to be here,” she said.
“This is our last chance to say goodbye.”
Thailand plans to observe 100 days of official ceremonies and religious rites.
Meanwhile, embassies in Thailand have advised tourists to respect the feelings of the Thai people.
The government has declared one year of official mourning and asked Thais to wear black and avoid “festivities” for 30days.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-ocha, however, has called on businesses to stay active. The Cabinet declared a government holiday for mourning yesterday but the Stock Exchange of Thailand and banks operated normally.
Britain’s Foreign Office said in an advisory those travelling to Thailand had to be respectful of people’s feelings.
“You should respect the sensitivities of the Thai people at this time; access to entertainment, including restaurants, bars and shopping areas may be restricted and you should behave respectfully when in public areas,” it said.
Tropical Thailand, with its beaches, Buddhist temples and night life, remains a magnet for travellers despite weathering more than a decade of unrest, including two coups, floods in 2011 and a wave of bombs in tourist towns in August.
The country expects a record 33 million visitors this year.
The government has not announced specific restrictions on nightlife but it is at least likely to be subdued.
“We recommend the following for residents and tourists: exercise caution and observe public order laws ... maximum respect for the sentiment of the Thai people,” the Italian Embassy in Bangkok said.
The government said it had increased security around the country following the King’s death.
“Stupid behaviour right now is totally out of the question,” said Didier Arnault, a French national living in Bangkok’s
historic quarter near royal palaces.
