Thailand marks one year anniversary of late king's passing

BANGKOK, Oct 13 (TNA) -- The Buddhist almsgiving ceremony and other activities held nationwide on Friday to mark one year since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch after seven decades on the throne. The major commemorations of His Majesty late King Bhumibol in Bangkok were organised at the Government House and at Siriraj Hospital where he spent most of his final years being treated for various ailments before his death last year on Oct 13. Many Thai mourners lining up to left flowers beneathin front of a giant portrait of late King Bhumibol outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok. At the Government House Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led cabinet ministers to make merits. 89 Buddhist monks have receive alms there. They have also observed 89 seconds of silence, to mark the His Majesty the late King's age if he had lived until his birthday on December 5, 2016. At Siriraj Hospital, Doctors, nurses and staff of the hospital and general public have given alms to 199 Buddhist monks. After that, there was a ceremony to pay respect to late King Bhumibol and his father Prince of Songkla. Other activities include a discussion on the roles of the late King Bhumibol and His Majesty King Maha Maha Vajiralongkorn in Thai education. The government has asked the public to observe 89 seconds of silence Friday at 3.52pm, marking the official time of Bhumibol's death. The MCOT plc, a Thai state-owned public broadcaster, has invited the general public to join the the activities as there would be a special television programme broadcast live on the obeservation of 89 seconds of silence. At 4.30pm, at Siriraj Hospital, the Banditpatanasilpa Institute stages a performance on “Phra Maha Chanaka” and the Royal Thai Navy Orchestra performs the compositions of the late King Bhumibol. At 7pm naval officers as well as staff and students of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital to line up to form the Thai digit for the number “9” together with a light show. They then light candles from the fire presented by the Supreme Patriarch to remember the late King Bhumibol amid the sound of the Impossible Dream song which is a composition by late King Bhumibol. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn is scheduled to preside over merit-making ceremonies this afternoon at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. The death anniversary comes ahead of a lavish five-day funeral ceremony that will take place at the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The royal cremation is scheduled for Oct 26. (TNA)