Lavish funeral held for beloved Thai king

After a year of mourning their king, Thais finally laid him to rest

ByABC News

October 26, 2017, 12:07 PM

 -- Thousands of tearful citizens in Thailand were clad in black as they lined the streets and viewing areas for their king's funeral rituals.

Mourners fill the streets as they wait for the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej to take place in Bangkok, Oct. 26, 2017.
Ye Aung ThuAFP/Getty Images

The beloved monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on Oct. 13, 2016, after ruling the country for seven decades. He was 88.

After a year of mourning, the country held its final tribute in an elaborate five-day cremation ceremony.

A mourner holds an image of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej as she waits for his funeral procession to take place in Bangkok, Oct. 26, 2017.
Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images

Businesses were closed, and many usually congested streets were empty. TV stations carried the events live, and billboards featured messages honoring him.

Royalty and other dignitaries, including U.S. Defense Secretary Gen. Jim Mattis, arrived from far and wide to attend the ceremonies.

Thai Royal Guards attend the funeral procession for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej before the Royal Cremation Ceremony in Bangkok, Oct. 26, 2017.
Jorge Silva/Reuters

Artillery was fired, flowers were offered, and hundreds of soldiers and Royal Guards marched in full formal attire. The gilded royal chariot carried the king's urn from the Grand Palace to the Royal Crematorium in the heart of Bangkok.