Buddhist rituals take place after Thai king’s death

By Max Constant

BANGKOK (AA) – Elaborate Buddhist and Brahmanic rituals took place Saturday within the Grand Palace in Bangkok’s old quarter as thousands of black-clad Thais gathered around the compound to pay homage to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away Thursday after a 70-year reign.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attended the Buddhist chanting in a ceremonial hall in the Palace where high-ranking monks were praying, in front of a multilevel golden altar on which the royal coffin was laid.

Outside of the building, red-clad officials were beating ceremonial drums and playing traditional flutes according to the Brahmanic ritual for the funeral ceremonies for kings.

Around 95 percent of the Thai population follows Buddhism, but most of the rituals surrounding the monarchy are associated with Hinduism, a tradition that was re-emphasized at the beginning of Bhumibol’s reign in 1946.

With Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn asking for time before ascending the throne, Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, the chairman of Thailand's Privy Council, is to temporarily head the regency according to the interim constitution.

The 96-year-old -- a retired Thai military officer -- was long one of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's closest advisors and served as prime minister from March 3, 1980 to Aug. 4, 1988.

The crown prince, who was made heir by his father in 1972, is reported to have told junta chief-cum-prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha that he wanted to observe a period of mourning with the Thai people before ascending the throne.

“He already accepted his appointment as a royal heir, but he requested time to deal with his grief and express his sadness alongside the people across the nation at this time,” Chan-ocha said late Thursday.

“As for the succession, he wishes to wait until the appropriate time,” he added.

News of the death of Bhumibol -- the world's longest-reigning living monarch -- was announced Thursday, sparking an outpouring of grief.

A Sunday statement had said that his condition had not yet stabilized following a kidney dialysis operation at Bangkok's Siriraj hospital and he would remain “under close medical supervision”.

As news grew of his demise, hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital crying with burning sticks of incense in their hands.

Others, meanwhile, sat meditating with their eyes closed reciting Buddhist prayers.

The funeral -- an enormous state affair -- will take place in several months.

The military government has decreed a period of one year of mourning.