My Beloved King "Bhumibol"

Photo by Bangkok Post

What had happened before news of the King released?

Shortly before that, I came across a link with a picture of the King shared by an unknown, saying "Thailand's King dies". Then, I thought it would have been a rumor. Surely, I didn't rely on it because no any official announcements released from both the palace and the hospital where the King stayed at for health treatment. 

An official announcement released

Not long after I prayed for the recovery of HM the King, I saw an official announcement on the passing of HM the King from the Palace. Things got worse as everyone in my office, at that moment, felt like their hearts were destroyed by its announcement they had read, myself included. 

Classes cancelled

Just a few hours before my first evening class started, I decided to cancel it at all, not because I was lazy to carry on my duty, but because I felt shocked about its news being published widely to the public. In fact, it was not only the saddest loss of the people of Thailand but of the world people as the King himself had won plaudits from all people around the world since taking the throne in 1946. 

Photo by Bangkok Post

After the passing of the world's longest-reigning monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej Maha Ratcha, on 13th October, 2016, at Siriraj Hospital, all Thais were in the same mood. Everything looked bad, even the sky was also gloomy. It made me think of the fact that there are at least two things that we cannot bar: love and death. 

Also, Buddhism teaches us to concentrate on what we're doing at the very present moment without carelessness and importantly teaches us to realise that everything is impermanence, suffering and non-self (called three characteristics) as it all finally goes back to its origins (the nature). 

Photo by Bangkok Post

King's body procession        

I didn't go to Sanam Luang, where the van with the body of the King passed by, but I watched it live on Thai TV instead. While waiting for the move of HM the King's body to the Grand Palace, I saw a number of black-clad mourners with sorrow made long lines from Siriraj Hospital to the Palace, in order to kowtow to the King's body procession as a sign of respect. 

As the procession slowly moving on to the Palace, I saw all the royal family members, especially Her Majesty the Queen waving her hand to her beloved people chanting "Long Live Her Majesty the Queen". 

Messages of condolence 

Messages of condolence over the death of HM King Bhumibol have been sent by leaders all over the world, especially US leader Obama and Russian leader Putin, since the King passed away at Siriraj Hospital. HM Late King Bhumibol had brought fame to Thailand since 1946, the year he succeeded the throne. 

Throughout his 70-year reign, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the people of Thailand through his countless development projects. As a result of his projects, the people of Thailand were able to keep themselves through difficult times. 

That's the reason why His Majesty the Late King won plaudits from all walks of life both inside and outside Thailand. Apart from words of compliment, he was still invited by the world-class organizations to receive numerous awards for his excellence in the various fields of expertise such as water, forestry, dam-building, rainmaking, agriculture, languages, music, arts and geography.  

Photo by Bangkok Post

King's final speech 

Below are the main highlights of His Majesty King Bhumibol's 88th birthday speech at the Grand Palace, Bangkok.

"... our nation has been peaceful for long time because we have unity in our nation and we perform our activities under the duties to accord and support together for the unified interest of the nation... and determine to fulfill your duties to accomplish the common interest which is the stability of the nation."

Photo: Google

Written by B. Kaset