SINGAPORE - Thais and Singaporeans alike showed up on Saturday evening (Oct 15) at Wat Ananda Metyarama - a Thai Buddhist temple in Jalan Bukit Merah - to pray for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The Thai monarch, who reigned for 70 years, died on Thursday (Oct 13) at the age of 88.
The mood was sombre as the crowd of about 100 people, mostly dressed in black, clasped their hands together and chanted prayers in front of the late king's portrait.
The session, held from 7pm to 8pm, was led by Buddhist monks.A condolence book was also placed up front for attendees to pen messages.
Housewife Thatib Duangporn, 38, a Singapore permanent resident from Chiang Rai, came with her husband and seven-year-old son.
"I'm very sad he's gone. I cried. He was the best king. He helped poor people and always thought of the Thai people."
The temple regular added: "I'm glad they are having this prayer session. It feels like home here."
Also present by invitation were two representatives from the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore - secretary and Buddhist representative Sam Poo, 56, and Sikh representative Harbans Singh, 86.
Mr Harbans Singh said of the late king: "He always cared for his people like family. He's been an apostle of peace and harmony in Thailand. I am very saddened by the loss of such people. I hope we can do something to follow their good example."
Earlier in the day, President Tony Tan Keng Yam went directly to the Thai Embassy after touching down in Singapore from his state visit in Norway.
He wrote in the condolence book: "On behalf of the people of Singapore, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the people of Thailand on the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej."
He said the late king was "an exceptional monarch who cared deeply for his people".
"Our thoughts are with the people of Thailand during this time of national mourning."
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who was also at the embassy in the morning, said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Oct 15): "The grief of the Thai people is great as His Majesty was deeply loved."
"King Bhumibol was a good friend of Singapore. Our defence relations thrived and deepened while he was on the throne. Our soldiers train in Thailand and both armed forces conduct regular exercises through Exercise Cobra Gold and Exercise Cope Tiger. People to people ties also flourished. His Majesty will be greatly missed."
