Well-wishers from across Thailand and the world gathered at Sanam Luang to participate in the historic event of the coronation of His Majesty the King.
This is despite the fact the coronation ceremony was conducted within the Grand Palace and people could only watch the ceremony on television. Still, they wanted to be there to pay their respects and be part of the occasion.
Among them was Samran Suphannachat, 65, who took a boat from her home in Thon Buri and arrived at Sanam Luang before sunrise to get first dibs on the front seat. Ms Samran also made a souvenir in honour of His Majesty the King. "I attached banknotes with portraits of His Majesty the King to a picture frame. And if you turn it around, you will see banknotes with portraits of his father," she said proudly.
"I feel delighted to learn that His Majesty the King has announced that he will govern the country with morality and righteousness. Apparently, His Majesty the King will follow in his father's footsteps," said Ms Samran who was born one year after His Majesty the King.
Many of the spectators travelled from all over the country to Bangkok just to catch a glimpse of the event. Panita Akramahathera, a businesswoman in Chon Buri province, brought her two children to Bangkok to pay respect to the monarchy. "I want my children to take part in this historic occasion. I want them to have this memory," she told the Bangkok Post.
Foreigners also flocked to the ceremony. Shinichi Yoshioka, a Japanese tourist, said he felt a sense of connection with Thais because the Japanese emperor Naruhito also had a coronation ceremony earlier this week.
