The ceremonial urn of Thailand's late King Bhumibhol Adulyadej is transported during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok. —AP

Thailand turns black and gold for late King's grand funeral

Brahmin priests, drummers and soldiers in ceremonial uniforms led a solemn but colourful procession through Bangkok.
Published October 26, 2017

Brahmin priests, drummers and soldiers in ceremonial uniforms led a solemn but colour-splashed procession through Bangkok's historic heart on Thursday as Thailand bade farewell to King Bhumibol Adulyadej whose death left the nation without its chief unifying figure.

Some 300,000 black-clad mourners packed the streets, some weeping and prostrating themselves on the ground as a golden chariot carrying the royal urn snaked through the city in the blazing heat.

Brahmin priests untied their ponytails in an outpouring of grief before the royal urn was moved to a gun carriage to circle the funeral pyre three times ahead of the evening cremation.

The lavish event gave the public a chance to say a final goodbye to the monarch known as “father of the nation” who was crowned in 1950 and towered over decades of Thai history.

Thai mourners pray during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. —AP
Thai mourners pray during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. —AP

Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn attends the funeral procession of the late Thai king. —AFP
Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn attends the funeral procession of the late Thai king. —AFP

The Royal Urn is moved during the funeral procession of the late Thai king. —AFP
The Royal Urn is moved during the funeral procession of the late Thai king. —AFP

Thai royal doctors take part in the funeral procession for the late king. —AFP
Thai royal doctors take part in the funeral procession for the late king. —AFP

Mourners lay flowers as a sign of respect for late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. —AFP
Mourners lay flowers as a sign of respect for late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. —AFP

Thai royal military personnel take part in the funeral procession. — AFP
Thai royal military personnel take part in the funeral procession. — AFP

Supreme Patriarch is transported in a royal chariot during the funeral procession of Thailand's late King. —AP
Supreme Patriarch is transported in a royal chariot during the funeral procession of Thailand's late King. —AP

Military personnel take part in the funeral procession for the late king. —AFP
Military personnel take part in the funeral procession for the late king. —AFP

The royal chariot is draped in garlands as it transports the symbolic urn at the funeral procession. —AP
The royal chariot is draped in garlands as it transports the symbolic urn at the funeral procession. —AP

Royal guards take part in the funeral procession of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. —AFP
Royal guards take part in the funeral procession of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. —AFP

A general view shows the funeral procession of the late Thai king. —AFP
A general view shows the funeral procession of the late Thai king. —AFP