Thais in Singapore’s “Little Thailand” mourn the death of King Bhumibol
The Buddhist shrine outside Golden Mile Complex, or “Little Thailand”, was the gathering point for Thais at the mall to pay their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away on 13 October, 2016, at the age of 88. (Photo: Safhras Khan/Yahoo)
Thais in Singapore’s “Little Thailand” mourned the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday (13 October) by saying prayers and paying tributes to their beloved “father of the nation”.
King Bhumibol died at the age of 88 at 3.52pm in Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, the Thai palace announced Thursday, after a reign of 70 years.
A number of Thais who were gathering at Golden Mile Complex told Yahoo Singapore that they were deeply saddened by news of the passing of an “irreplaceable” king, whom they described as compassionate and just.
A group of them were seen paying their respects at a Buddhist shrine located at the entrance of the mall at Beach Road.
File photo of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej: Reuters
Unable to accept king’s death
One Thai, who only wanted to be known as Annie, said she was unable to accept that her revered king is “gone forever”. The 30-year-old said that she has been praying for King Bhumibol daily since he was hospitalised and was hoping that he would recover.
“He was our number one king who did everything for the people. Since I was young, I was taught to respect him,” she lamented. "There won’t be another king like him. I will miss him.”
Chansri Fan, 54, who is working at a souvenir shop in Golden Mile Complex, said she was speechless when she heard the news.
"He is still my king and I cannot express myself. I think the Thai community in this complex will be holding prayers for him in the next couple of days and I will be there to pay my respect,” said Chansri, who has been working in Singapore for 20 years.
Several Thai outlets at Golden Mile Complex were closed on Thursday for employees to mourn the passing of King Bhumibol (Photo: Safhras Khan/Yahoo)
Heading home to pay their respect
Several Thais were at the mall to make plans to return home and mourn together with their compatriots. Aree Boonsong was at the mall to buy a new luggage and book a flight back to Chiangmai.
The 60-year-old housewife said that she will be flying back on Sunday to pay her last respect to the king.
“I have to head back. He was a very good king and I am heading back with my son to pay my respect,” said Aree, who is married to a Singaporean.
Aree Boonsong, a 60-year-old Thai who is married to a Singaporean, seen here with her new luggage that she will use for her flight back to Chiangmai to pay her respect to King Bhumibol. Photo: Safhras Khan/Yahoo)
Chalermpol Chaichana, a 39-year-old sound and lighting technician, spent about 10 minutes praying for King Bhumibol at the shrine. He will also be heading back to Chiangmai next week to say goodbye to a monarch who was seen as the unifying figure among the Thai people.
Chalermpol and his colleagues, who work at an entertainment outlet in Golden Mile, were given the night off on Thursday to pay their respect to the king.
“He was like a father to me and my fellow Thais. I love him because as a king he was just and cared for the people.”
