The Bureau of the Royal Household issued an official statement on the funeral services for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej recently, including a timeline of his passing and early ceremonies at the Grand Palace.
The Royal Household Bureau announced the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at 6.55 p.m. on Oct. 13. His Majesty had begun treatment for his most-recent ailment at Siriraj Hospital on Oct. 3, according to the bureau. Although medical teams worked hard to treat His Majesty, his health continued to deteriorate and he passed away peacefully at 3:52 p.m. at age 88.
On Oct. 14, at 3.40 p.m., His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn went to the Pimanrattaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace to await the arrival of His Majesty’s funeral cortege, which left Siriraj at 4 p.m., led by Somdej Phawannarat, abbot of Bawornniwejwiharn Temple, and arrived at the Chalermphakiat Building.
The cortege moved from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace and the streets were lined with tens of thousands of people who came to pay their last respects with sadness and tears. The nation also watched the procession and ceremony on television.
The funeral will be held at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall for 100 days. The ceremony will start each day at 6 a.m. for monks’ chanting followed by food offerings at 7 a.m. This will be followed by further chanting from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. when the monks will be offered lunch. Further prayers will be at 12 noon and 3 p.m. followed by 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again at 9 p.m.
The royal funeral ceremony, which is held on the 7th day, was held on Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. when 30 monks chanted Buddhist mantras followed by a sermon and chanting from four monks.
On Oct. 20, 30 monks chanted for blessings at 10.30 a.m. followed by food offerings. This was followed by a sermon and chanting performed by four monks, and lastly presenting ropes to 89 monks in respect to His Majesty’s age on his next birthday.
The “panrasamawarn” ceremony, which marks the 15th day, was held on Oct. 27 and continues on Oct. 28 at 10.30 a.m. The “panyasamawarn” ceremony, which marks the 50th day, will be held on Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. and on Dec. 2 at 10.30 a.m. The 100-days ceremony will be held on Jan. 20 at 5p.m. and Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m.
The Bureau of the Royal Household announced that people will be allowed to pay respects in the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall from Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. onwards.
Royal allowance is made to allow people to pay respect in front of HM the late King’s photo at Sahathai Samakom Pavilion in the Grand Palace every day from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a book for mourners to sign at the pavilion.
Royal allowance to allow various sections including personal, government section, state enterprises, private and civil section to host royal funeral of chanting rite after completing of 50 days of the royal funeral ceremony.
The Bureau of the Royal Household asks that tourists in Thailand understand the sadness of the Thai people and to act accordingly. Tourists are asked to wear dark tones or somber clothing and the government has asked for cooperation from all sectors to refrain from parties, live music and concerts through Nov. 13.
