A Thai woman holds a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside Siriraj Hospital where Bhumibol had been treated in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday.
(AP)
BANGKOK — Thailand began its first day in 70 years without a king on Friday in a profound state of mourning, as the crown prince asked for more time before ascending the throne following the death of his father and the world’s longest-reigning monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The government declared a public holiday, and people across the shaken nation dressed in black, their eyes swollen and red with hours of weeping. Many were still breaking down and sobbing — in building halls, elevators, shops — in spontaneous outburst of emotion that reflected the deep love and respect Bhumibol commanded in Thailand.
The 88-year-old king had spent much of the last decade hospitalized for a variety of ailments; and the momentous news, announced in a palace statement Thursday, had long
been both anticipated and feared. But the nation remained stable and life continued largely as usual with most shops, banks and tourist sites open.
A one-year mourning period for the government has been declared together with a 30-day moratorium on state and official events. But as previously speculated, no demands
have been made of the private sector.
The government has only urged people to refrain from organizing entertainment events for a month, apparently mindful of the need to ensure that the sputtering economy does not suffer.