Thai people nationwide came out in force this morning to pay tribute to late King Bhumibol the Great on the fourth anniversary of his passing on October 13th, 2016 at the age of 89,by giving alms to monks.

In Bangkok, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife presided over a merit-making ceremony at Sanam Luang, to present alms to 89 monks. They were joined by cabinet ministers and their spouses, government officials and members of the public.  A candle-lit ceremony is scheduled to take place tonight at the same venue.

At Siriraj Hospital, where the late King was given medical treatment, Professor Dr. Prasit Wattanapa, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Science of Mahidol University, presided over a merit-making ceremony to present alms to 39 monks. The ceremony was attended by many people, most of whom wore yellow shirts, the colour of the late King.

The alms presentation was followed by the chanting of prayers by the monks, in front of a huge portrait of the late King. All participants observed an 89-second silence. Then they placed Marigold flowers on the Thai script number 9, whichrepresents the Ninth King of the Chakri dynasty.

At the nearby headquarters of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Admiral Chartchai Srivorakhan, the RTN’s Commander-in-Chief, presided over a merit-making ceremony, which also featured a sermon given by a senior monk.