Last year, on October 13th, 2016, a tragic day occurred in Thailand. King Rama IX, also known as King Bhumibol Adulyadej, passed away at the age of 88. The Thai government declared a mourning period for the citizens of Thailand that would last for one year.
Even during the first 30 days after the King’s death, Thais refrained from attending or hosting any events or celebrations. This is to respect the recent passing of King Rama IX who was a treasured king throughout Thailand. Sporting events were cancelled and the Thai football league ended their season early to show their respect.
The official funeral ceremony and cremation of King Rama IX will take place on October 26th, 2017. Here is more information on how you should travel and act toward Thai locals while they are in mourning. It is crucial to respect this day and know how to prepare for the ceremony ahead of times.
Day of Cremation
October 26th, 2017 is the official day that the King will be cremated, however, the whole ceremony will last between 3-5 days. The first part of the cremation ceremony is the cremation and ceremonial services. Since February 2017, the public city field of Sanam Luang in Bangkok has been transformed into a crematorium. This is where the services will take place for the deceased King Rama IX.
The cremation ceremonies will start at 6am and go on until sunset. Then at 7pm, there will be a lighting ceremony of the funeral pyre. At 10pm, the final ceremony will be a puppet show and musical concert. Those who attend these ceremonies must wear all black. If you do not wear all black to the ceremony, you may be considered rude and disrespectful to the King.
The next day, there is a ceremony for the removal of the ashes and ancient objects or relics of the King. The overall ceremony is expected to last between 3 to 5 days, so it’s advised to pay attention to the traffic and laws during this time.
Things Visitors Should Note During Cremation
There have been many rumors on what tourists and foreign visitors should do while visiting Bangkok during the cremation ceremony. The only parties and festivities that were cancelled were during the 30 day period, so although you shouldn’t have a problem attending things like full-moon parties or cultural festivals, it is best to check directly with the event organizer first.
It is advised to plan your transportation wisely, since there will be a lot of rescheduling and rerouting, especially around Sanam Luang. Many people from all over Thailand are planning to attend the national ceremony so public transport is expected to be busier than normal during this time. You may want to reserve your room well in advance, since many hotels and hostels won’t have many vacancies.
You don’t have to wear anything special during the ceremony days, it’s only advised that you wear black and covered clothes if you wish to attend the ceremony. Many visitors are wondering if they’re allowed to attend or if they feel the ceremony is only open to Thai citizens. Thailand is an inclusive country, so the ceremony is open to any country or nationality.
If you decide to attend, please be sure to be respectful. Refrain from taking pictures unless you get the okay and don’t be loud and rude during this special event. If you’re just planning to tour the city during those days, you don’t have to wear anything special but you will be respected by the locals if you do decide to wear all black.
Tours will still be operating and businesses will stay open during the cremation ceremony. So even though the funeral events won’t affect your visit or vacation, it is still good to keep an eye on the upcoming events and news taking place during this time. You will want to book your stay far ahead in advance. In fact, there are many rooms still available at the Centre Point Hotel.
Centre Point has 6 different locations throughout the city. We hope you enjoy your trip in Thailand.
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