Bangkok-In Memory of His Majesty King Bhumibol
Impressive mourning ceremony at the royal palace in Bangkok for the late King. He was a convinced and great animal friend and still has his dog on a leash, even when his Majesty was in a wheelchair. Like every day today thousands of Thai people and mourning guests from all over the world were at the palace to pay tribute to the popular king. The monarch had visited the Royal Elephants, and these elephants were leading the special mourning ceremony today. Unbelievably beautiful pictures of the mighty animals in front of the palace. When the 200 Mahout and thousands of mourners sing the royal national anthem even these giant animals were silent … maybe they recognized what was going on and mourned, too, and showed the king the ultimate glory
Elephants and mahouts processioned from the Territorial Defence Command to the Manee Nopparat gate of the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the late King.
The elephants, trucked from Ayutthaya to the Grand Palace, walked from the nearby Territorial Defence Command to the area in front of the Defence Ministry.
The animals, which were powdered white, and mahouts observed a moment of silence in front of the Grand Palace. The elephants then knelt before a portrait of the late King as their keepers sang the royal anthem Sansoen Phra Barami. Mourners joined in singing the anthem in tribute to the beloved monarch.
The mahouts and the elephants then paid respects to the Pink Elephant Statue at Sanam Luang and gave a performance for mourners waiting to enter the palace.
Elephants and mahouts from Ayutthaya arrive at the Territorial Defence Command on Tuesday morning.
Laithonglean Meephan, the owner of the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal, said the animals were trained to perform in honour of the late King. All mahouts appreciated the King Bhumibol’s generosity and help for elephants.
Photos by Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn and TAT photographers
