BANGKOK, Oct 25 – The Thai kingdom is in deep sorrow after the country’s revered 19th Supreme Patriarch passed away last night.
His Majesty the King ordered an extension of mourning for Royal Household members from 15 days to 30 days.
Civil servants and state enterprise employees are asked to wear black for 15 days, beginning today, in respect for His Holiness while the Thai flag will fly at half mast throughout the country from today through Sunday.
The revered Supreme Patriarch departed of a blood infection at Chulalongkorn Hospital at 7.30 pm after being admitted on October 14. He had been hospitalised for some years.
The longest living Supreme Patriarch in Thai history, His Holiness turned 100 on October 3.
His body was moved from Chulalongkorn hospital at noon today to Wat Bavornnives for a bathing rite.
At provincial halls countrywide, people poured in to pay their final respects to the Supreme Patriarch in special mourning ceremonies arranged by provincial administrations.
