Thai kings lavish $90 million cremation ceremony
CNN
Oct 26, 2017
A budget of $90 million was allocated to the commemoration of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled the country for 70 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCdFvLQAJok
Thailand’s royal cremation ceremony caps year of mourning
Smoke rises from the main pavilion of the cremation site where the body of late Thai King Bhumibol Adelyadej was being cremated late on October 26, 2017 in Bangkok. STR/AFP/Getty Images
By Kocha Olarn and Karla Cripps,
CNN
October 26, 2017
Bangkok, Thailand —
A sea of black-clad mourners in Bangkok said a final goodbye to their beloved monarch during a funeral that climaxed with the late king’s son and successor lighting a pyre built to resemble the sacred center of the Hindu universe.
Massive crowds gathered in the Thai capital on Thursday to observe the pomp and circumstance on day two of the country’s elaborate five-day funeral for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled the country for 70 years.
The King’s body was transported in a procession from the Grand Palace, where it was lying in state, to Sanam Luang, the site of the royal crematorium, which was built for the occasion. The cremation of the late monarch took place in private with family members attending, according to Lt. Gen. Sansern Kaewkumnerd, a government spokesman.
Mourners dressed in dark colors stood in stark contrast to the gold symbolic urn that was transported alongside soldiers dressed in red and white. Some stood in long lines to lay ceremonial sandalwood flowers that were later burned in a ceremony at the time of the king’s cremation.
The ceremony for the man who was once the world’s longest reigning monarch began late Wednesday, just over one year since he died at age 88 on October 13, 2016.
Also known as Rama IX – a reference to his lineage stretching from Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty – the King commanded great love and respect in Thailand.
A mourner holds a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej during his funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok. Wason Wanichakorn/AP
“He’s the dad,” said Thai mourner Saichart Siwannathong, during the ceremony. “The best people and my idol. My hero. My everything.”
Before the ceremony, Thais slept in the streets to reserve the best vantage points for the funeral procession, which culminated with his cremation at the royal crematorium, a three-tier, 50-meter (165-foot) high golden funeral pyre.
Thousands came for just a chance to be close to a man who helped steer the country through coups and chaos. Despite the throngs, people appeared to be calm and organized.
To continue reading, click the link below
October 26, 2017
Bangkok, Thailand —
A sea of black-clad mourners in Bangkok said a final goodbye to their beloved monarch during a funeral that climaxed with the late king’s son and successor lighting a pyre built to resemble the sacred center of the Hindu universe.
Massive crowds gathered in the Thai capital on Thursday to observe the pomp and circumstance on day two of the country’s elaborate five-day funeral for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled the country for 70 years.
The King’s body was transported in a procession from the Grand Palace, where it was lying in state, to Sanam Luang, the site of the royal crematorium, which was built for the occasion. The cremation of the late monarch took place in private with family members attending, according to Lt. Gen. Sansern Kaewkumnerd, a government spokesman.
Mourners dressed in dark colors stood in stark contrast to the gold symbolic urn that was transported alongside soldiers dressed in red and white. Some stood in long lines to lay ceremonial sandalwood flowers that were later burned in a ceremony at the time of the king’s cremation.
The ceremony for the man who was once the world’s longest reigning monarch began late Wednesday, just over one year since he died at age 88 on October 13, 2016.
Also known as Rama IX – a reference to his lineage stretching from Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty – the King commanded great love and respect in Thailand.
A mourner holds a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej during his funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok. Wason Wanichakorn/AP
“He’s the dad,” said Thai mourner Saichart Siwannathong, during the ceremony. “The best people and my idol. My hero. My everything.”
Before the ceremony, Thais slept in the streets to reserve the best vantage points for the funeral procession, which culminated with his cremation at the royal crematorium, a three-tier, 50-meter (165-foot) high golden funeral pyre.
Thousands came for just a chance to be close to a man who helped steer the country through coups and chaos. Despite the throngs, people appeared to be calm and organized.
To continue reading, click the link below
