A sea of yellow is expected to emerge again today in commemoration of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, two years after his passing.
From North to South and East to West, all people in the kingdom are doing good deeds for their beloved King Bhumibol to mark the second anniversary of the late king's passing on Oct 13.
The highlight of the events will be at the Royal Plaza today where an alms-offering ceremony will be held at 6am for the late king.
A wreath-laying and homage-paying ceremony is planned to be held at 9am at Sanam Luang where candles will be lit during another ceremony at 7pm.
The events were being organised by the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
In other provinces, ceremonies are planned at provincial halls and district offices in honour of the late monarch.
Thai embassies and consulate-generals overseas will also hold ceremonies and other activities to mark this important day.
King Bhumibol passed away on Oct 13, 2016 at Siriraj Hospital. The day of his passing is a national holiday for people to remember King Bhumibol's achievements during his reign. His passing was one of the greatest losses in the history of the country.
Siriraj Hospital, where King Bhumibol received treatment, is holding an exhibition showing portraits of the late king until Thursday.
The hospital plans to organise an auspicious event named "Sirakran Phra Phuban Nawamin" from 6am until 8pm today.
A large Buddhist alms-offering ceremony, involving 99 monks, will be held at the hospital and along surrounding roads from 6am until 7am.
Prayers and a commemoration service are planned for 7.30am until 8.30am.
Other activities at Siriraj include a musical and a concert in which bands will play music and singers will sing songs composed by King Bhumibol.
At the National Memorial, an alms-offering ceremony is planned to begin at 6.45am, an homage-paying ceremony at 3.52pm -- the time of his passing -- and a candle lighting ceremony at 7pm.
People are advised to wear yellow, the colour representing King Bhumibol's birthday on Monday. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) today is offering free bus services on six regular public bus routes for people wanting to attend the special ceremonies and activities around the capital.
A free shuttle bus service is also being offered to cover areas surrounding Sanam Luang from 3pm until 9pm. Certain roads will be totally or partially closed during the main ceremonies at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Luang, according to an announcement by the traffic police.
Uthong Nai Road, from Uthong Nai intersection to the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn was closed from midday yesterday and will remain so until the end of the alms-offering ceremony at the Royal Plaza.
Na Phra That Road, Phra Chan Road, Maha Rat Road and Thai Wang Road will be partially closed from 4am today until the wreath-laying and homage-paying ceremony, scheduled to begin at 9am ends.
Meanwhile, all Thais are invited to attend a prayer activity at 6pm on Monday in honour of the past monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty at the Royal Plaza.
The prayer session, to be presided over by the Supreme Patriarch, is also in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, and His Majesty the King. A total of 207 monks will participate.
On this occasion, His Majesty the King has granted permission for a revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Mani Ratana Patimakorn, to be transferred to the ceremonial grounds for participants to pay their respects.
As for the main candle lighting ceremony at Sanam Luang, four roads will be closed from midday today until the ceremony ends. The roads are Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue, Sanam Chai Road, Na Phra Lan Road and Na Phra That Road.
As Oct 13 is a Saturday this year, the commemorative events have already started with most private and public offices holding religious ceremonies yesterday to mark the late king's passing while groups of volunteers and individuals across the country participated in acts for the public good.
A conservation group in Ban Krud in Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan launched an exhibition "Roob Tee Mee Took Baan" (Pictures in Every House) in remembrance of the late king. Witoon Phukchan, a member, said the exhibition features a collection of more than 500 pictures found in the houses the group visited in Ban Krud. "We knocked on doors and asked the owners to take photos of 'Roob Tee Mee Took Baan' for use in the exhibition. There are more than 500 of them on display until Oct 21," he said.
In Muang district of Uthai Thani province, the family of a local vendor handed out free noodles to the public in honour of the late king. People lined up in front of the shop and formed a one-kilometre queue. The vendor said the family members were overwhelmed by the late king's kindness and contribution to the nation and they want to show their gratitude.
In Khon Kaen, Krirksak Woraphum put 90 sketches of the late king on display at his coffee house in Muang district.
He has started drawing the portraits and activities of the late monarch since his passing two years ago. "I wanted to do good deeds to honour the late king and painting is what I'm good at," he said.
In Pathum Thani, Sanong Bamrungrat, a retired teacher, opened his house in Lat Lum Kaeo district for the public to see his collection of portraits, pictures and other items with the image of the late king.
In southernmost province of Yala, as initiated by the Office of the Chularatchamontri, Thai Muslims yesterday joined others in a ceremony for the late king who improved the well being of Muslims in the province.
The Bangkok Post joins the nation in commemorating the beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej with special reports on pages 2,3 and 4.
