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| What will happen next after the death of Thailand's king? | What will happen next after the death of Thailand's king? |
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| Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died, ending seven decades on the throne. As public mourning starts and the crown prince, Maha Vajiralongkorn, readies himself for the throne, Thailand will be thrust into uncertainly in the coming weeks. Here is what is expected to happen. | Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died, ending seven decades on the throne. As public mourning starts and the crown prince, Maha Vajiralongkorn, readies himself for the throne, Thailand will be thrust into uncertainly in the coming weeks. Here is what is expected to happen. |
| A country-wide shutdown | A country-wide shutdown |
| The south-east Asian nation will, in many ways, close down during an extended, year-long period of public mourning for the monarch. | The south-east Asian nation will, in many ways, close down during an extended, year-long period of public mourning for the monarch. |
| Flags will immediately be lowered to half mast and people will be expected to wear black or very dark clothing. When the supreme patriarch of Thailand, the top Buddhist monk, died in 2013, tourists wearying bright floral attire were asked to change. Bars will shorten their opening hours and some might close altogether. Alcohol sales will be severely limited to certain times of day. Large events such as music concerts will be postponed. | Flags will immediately be lowered to half mast and people will be expected to wear black or very dark clothing. When the supreme patriarch of Thailand, the top Buddhist monk, died in 2013, tourists wearying bright floral attire were asked to change. Bars will shorten their opening hours and some might close altogether. Alcohol sales will be severely limited to certain times of day. Large events such as music concerts will be postponed. |
| “There will be sort of country-wide shutdown in the sense that normal economic and social activities will, for a prolonged period, come to revolve around the funeral of the king,” said Paul Chambers, an academic from Chiang Mai University who has researched politics and the monarch in Thailand. | “There will be sort of country-wide shutdown in the sense that normal economic and social activities will, for a prolonged period, come to revolve around the funeral of the king,” said Paul Chambers, an academic from Chiang Mai University who has researched politics and the monarch in Thailand. |
| A multi-day funeral | A multi-day funeral |
| In the coming days, the king’s body will be ceremoniously embalmed and tied in the traditional foetal position while it waits to be cremated. Heads of state will send their condolences to the royal family and some are likely to fly in for ceremonies in the capital and around the country. | In the coming days, the king’s body will be ceremoniously embalmed and tied in the traditional foetal position while it waits to be cremated. Heads of state will send their condolences to the royal family and some are likely to fly in for ceremonies in the capital and around the country. |
| Royal funerals last seven days but are normally not held for months or years after the death to allow the state to prepare an ornate ceremony. | Royal funerals last seven days but are normally not held for months or years after the death to allow the state to prepare an ornate ceremony. |
| Although there have been several royal funerals in Thailand, giving hints at the pomp and ceremony that will engulf the country in the coming months, the king’s will be much larger. | Although there have been several royal funerals in Thailand, giving hints at the pomp and ceremony that will engulf the country in the coming months, the king’s will be much larger. |
| An edition of Life magazine published in 1950 detailed the funeral of King Bhumibol’s elder brother, King Ananda Mahidol, who died aged 19 of a gunshot wound to the head. The investigation was never resolved. Bhumibol was confirmed as successor the same evening but not crowned. | An edition of Life magazine published in 1950 detailed the funeral of King Bhumibol’s elder brother, King Ananda Mahidol, who died aged 19 of a gunshot wound to the head. The investigation was never resolved. Bhumibol was confirmed as successor the same evening but not crowned. |
| The funeral took place four years after the king’s death so Bhumibol could complete his schooling in Switzerland. He returned to cheering crowds and three aeroplanes that dropped flowers by parachute. | The funeral took place four years after the king’s death so Bhumibol could complete his schooling in Switzerland. He returned to cheering crowds and three aeroplanes that dropped flowers by parachute. |
| “Despite Ananda’s popularity and the national mourning, the Siamese watched the rites without wailing or many tears. They respect their kings deeply but quietly,” the Life article said. “Their school lessons tell them that one never directly addresses the king but speaks to the dust beneath his feet.” | “Despite Ananda’s popularity and the national mourning, the Siamese watched the rites without wailing or many tears. They respect their kings deeply but quietly,” the Life article said. “Their school lessons tell them that one never directly addresses the king but speaks to the dust beneath his feet.” |
| Black and white photos showed what Life said was a procession through the capital. The king’s ashes were held in a “195-year-old, 42-ton royal chariot, being pulled by soldiers and sailors”. Royal attendants dressed in white sat on the chariot and shaded the urn containing his body from the sun. | Black and white photos showed what Life said was a procession through the capital. The king’s ashes were held in a “195-year-old, 42-ton royal chariot, being pulled by soldiers and sailors”. Royal attendants dressed in white sat on the chariot and shaded the urn containing his body from the sun. |
| The urn was placed at a cremation altar made of gilt, plaster, paper and glue and participants walked around three times, going counterclockwise, “which in Siam signifies mourning”. The altar was burned later during the night. | The urn was placed at a cremation altar made of gilt, plaster, paper and glue and participants walked around three times, going counterclockwise, “which in Siam signifies mourning”. The altar was burned later during the night. |
| An ancient tradition of entertainment at royal ceremonies, which had been phased out, was revived by King Bhumibol. The 2008 cremation of Princess Galyani Vadhana included plays, Thai puppet shows and traditional Khon dancing by more than 2,000 artists. Expect a grander show for the king. | An ancient tradition of entertainment at royal ceremonies, which had been phased out, was revived by King Bhumibol. The 2008 cremation of Princess Galyani Vadhana included plays, Thai puppet shows and traditional Khon dancing by more than 2,000 artists. Expect a grander show for the king. |
| Coronation of a new king | Coronation of a new king |
| Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was named as successor in the moments after the king’s death, but a formal coronation might be months or years away. Thailand’s prime minister said on Thursday that Vajiralongkorn had asked for time to mourn with his country before he is appointed. | |
| During the process of appointing the new sovereign the privy council chair, now Prem Tinsulanonda, will serve as regent of the country. | |
| In May 1950, the Bangkok Post described King Bhumibol’s coronation thus: “Three days of elaborate rituals began in the morning of 5 May, with a ceremonial bath within the vast courtyard of the Amerind Hall, where the king, dressed in the attire of a Brahmin priest, faced east and had holy water poured over his shoulders. Later, the king, in full coronation attire, received eight representatives of the government in the large reception hall. | In May 1950, the Bangkok Post described King Bhumibol’s coronation thus: “Three days of elaborate rituals began in the morning of 5 May, with a ceremonial bath within the vast courtyard of the Amerind Hall, where the king, dressed in the attire of a Brahmin priest, faced east and had holy water poured over his shoulders. Later, the king, in full coronation attire, received eight representatives of the government in the large reception hall. |
| “The young king took the crown, adorned with diamonds and other precious stones, and weighing a hefty 7kg, and placed it on his head … Afterwards, 101 cannon shots were heard, while the bells of all the kingdom’s temples were struck simultaneously to signify the assumption of the throne of the new sovereign.” | “The young king took the crown, adorned with diamonds and other precious stones, and weighing a hefty 7kg, and placed it on his head … Afterwards, 101 cannon shots were heard, while the bells of all the kingdom’s temples were struck simultaneously to signify the assumption of the throne of the new sovereign.” |
| Potential for political instability | Potential for political instability |
| The monarchy, and the king in particular, have been seen as a rare institution of stability in a politically turbulent country. Thailand has had 11 successful military coups since 1932, when the absolute monarchy became a constitutional monarchy. | The monarchy, and the king in particular, have been seen as a rare institution of stability in a politically turbulent country. Thailand has had 11 successful military coups since 1932, when the absolute monarchy became a constitutional monarchy. |
| The royal family has remained in many ways above politics, commanding huge respect from the country’s leaders, and many Thais believe it to be a balancing force, preventing politicians from exploiting the masses. Although the constitutional monarchy has few formal powers, the king’s influence is critical. | The royal family has remained in many ways above politics, commanding huge respect from the country’s leaders, and many Thais believe it to be a balancing force, preventing politicians from exploiting the masses. Although the constitutional monarchy has few formal powers, the king’s influence is critical. |
| The crown prince does not command the same popularity his father enjoyed over his decades of rule. There are concerns that political instability could ensue as the status quo changes. | The crown prince does not command the same popularity his father enjoyed over his decades of rule. There are concerns that political instability could ensue as the status quo changes. |
| “If the current junta is still in power, then it might use the possible instability during the succession to stay in power longer. Ultimately, royal succession will help the forces of authoritarianism in Thailand to legitimise their grip on power,” Chambers said. | “If the current junta is still in power, then it might use the possible instability during the succession to stay in power longer. Ultimately, royal succession will help the forces of authoritarianism in Thailand to legitimise their grip on power,” Chambers said. |
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