Thais nationwide yesterday took part in merit-making ceremonies marking one year since the passing of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In Bangkok, Siriraj Hospital where the late King passed away, took centre stage as thousands of people wearing black assembled at the hospital from sun-up to give alms to monks.
Merit making has been held nationwide to pay tribute to the late King, who passed away on Oct 13, 2016 after 70 years on the throne.
At the nearby Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall, a total of 199 Buddhist monks began collecting alms from 5.30am from people, who lined the entire route from the hall to Bovornsathanpimuk Road in front of the hospital's main building. Some of the dried food given to the monks will be sent to the Border Patrol Police School, the navy said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, ministers and their spouses offered alms to the 89 monks at Government House yesterday morning. The number of the monks matches the age of the late King, who passed away in his 89th year.
At "Lan Khon Muang", a civic space right in front of City Hall, Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang presided over a merit-making ceremony for the late King at 7am, and leading officials to give alms to 89 monks.
Many people were seen arriving at the Grand Palace early yesterday to put fresh flowers around the wall of the palace and pray for the late monarch.
Among them was Yutthana Kiew-on, the owner of a badminton club in the Ratchadaphisek Road area. He said he offered free use of his badminton courts yesterday to commemorate the first anniversary of the late King's passing.
"It's a way of remembering what the King did for us, as far as my occupation allows me to do," Mr Yutthana said. "It is something that puts smiles on the public's faces, which is what His Majesty would have wanted.
"After finding about what we have done, they smiled and thanked us politely, so we feel good that we are able to give back to the public."
Wongpavakarn Pitakboonkate, a contractor, said he wanted to be a model citizen by observing the five Buddhist moral precepts daily.
"Donating items on specific days and volunteering at Sanam Luang are definitely respectable practices, but it all starts with being a good person," Mr Wongpavakarn said. "When you take a step back to look at the late King's teachings, they fall in line with the five precepts."
The five precepts are to abstain from harming living things, stealing, sexual misconduct, telling lies, and consuming intoxicating substances.
"So if we observe these practices each day instead of just one day, I am sure we would make him proud," Mr Wongpavakarn said.
Elsewhere in the provinces, mourners wearing black also turned up to offer alms to monks as a tribute to the late King.
Provincial governors across the country led local officials to give alms to the monks, mostly numbered at 89 to pay tribute.
Members of the public wearing black also arrived at dawn to give alms to the monks and make merit.
Newspapers with pictures of the late King were quickly snapped up shortly after hitting newsstands.
Thais living abroad and many foreign embassies in Bangkok also held events commemorating the late King.
