BANGKOK ¨C Thailand bade a final goodbye to its beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday in a ceremony steeped in ancient rituals, processions and Buddhist rites that drew hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Despite heavy downpours, black-clad mourners crowded Bangkok¡¯s historic quarter where the king¡¯s cremation took place.
The $90 million funeral marks the end of an era for many Thais who had only ever known King Bhumibol as their monarch. It ushers in the reign of the late king¡¯s son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X, who ascended the throne last year but whose coronation can only take place after his father¡¯s funeral.
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