Technicolor Thailand is back after a black-clad mourning year for late king
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Thailand officially ended a year of mourning for its late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday, marking a return to colors for some after a monotone year during which many wore black from head-to-toe out of respect for their revered monarch.
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand officially ended a year of mourning for its late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday, marking a return to colors for some after a monotone year during which many wore black from head-to-toe out of respect for their revered monarch.
Hundreds of thousands of people thronged Bangkok&rsquo-s historic quarter to bid farewell last week to King Bhumibol, who died in October 2016. His $90 million-dollar funeral, full of pomp and ancient ritual, took place over five days.
His remains were brought to their final resting place within Bangkok&rsquo-s Grand Palace on Sunday. Portraits of the bespectacled late king, who became a father figure for many during a seven-decade reign, were hung across Thailand.
The black-and-white funeral bunting that had hung on the gates of Bangkok&rsquo-s Government House for a year was taken down on Monday and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha made a televised announcement to mark the official end of the mourning period.
&ldquo-The government would like to thank officials, both soldiers and civilians … and the more than 10 million Thais who came to pay respects to the royal body over the past year,&rdquo- Prayuth said.
May Kanokwattana, 29, an office worker, wore bright yellow as she waited at the Siam BTS, a major Bangkok transport interchange.
&ldquo-I wore black for one year. I needed to show my sorrow. Today is the first day I am wearing a different color,&rdquo- May told Reuters.
She also wore a pin with the Thai number nine out of respect for King Bhumibol, who was also known as the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty.
Colors have a profound meaning for Thais. Astrological rules followed by many in the Southeast Asian nation assign a color to each day of the week.
King Bhumibol was born on a Monday, a day associated with the color yellow. His only son, new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was also born on a Monday.
Some people shared charts on social media showing which colors would be considered luckiest to wear.
&ldquo-For confidence, health and power wear orange. For good support wear pale green,&rdquo- said one chart.
Pattinya Mankongwongcharoen, 49, an accountant wearing a peach-colored dress, said: &ldquo-I won&rsquo-t continue wearing black because the mourning period is officially over and to do so would be disrespectful.&rdquo-
Others said they would continue to wear muted colors.
&ldquo-I&lsquo-m still grieving. I&rsquo-ll wear black or gray for a few more weeks,&rdquo- said Pimsuda Chatree, 37, a shop owner.
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