KATHMANDU, Oct 30: Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Thailand has bade final farewell to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej organizing a special ceremony at Wat Sraket (The Royal Monastery) as a part of the funeral program of the late king on Thursday. The five-day funeral program concluded on Sunday midnight.
During the merit-making program, the leaders of Thailand-based Nepali community paid tribute to the late king and offered "Pangsakul Robes" to four monks at The Royal Monastery and the monks chanted the prayers, according to a press statement issued by the Thailand chapter of NRNA.
Pangsakul Robes are offered for the soul to ascend to heaven, according to Buddhist culture and beliefs. The program was graciously officiated by the venerable Phra Bhromasidhi, the abbot of the temple, which is a rare opportunity that NRNA, Thailand had got during such special occasion.
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NRNA's International Coordination Council's Executive Member Khagendra Raj Dhakal, Thailand Chapter's President Assajita Awale , Vice President Mahendra Shrestha , Treasurer Kanchha Gurung 'Gabo' had led the delegates of NRNA for the merit-making ceremony.
Remembering the late king, NRNA leader Dhakal, who is also a faculty member of the King Mongkut University of Technology in Thailand, said King Bhumibol transformed Thailand from a low income country to upper-middle-income country during his reign.
"The King will be remembered for his Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and as a leader of sustainability movement that is applicable to the whole world," the statement quoted Dhakal as saying.
After the merit-making ceremony, the Nepali community leaders presented sandalwood flowers to the Royal Crematorium at the same monastery. Then, the NRNA leaders joined the street procession from the temple to Sanam Luang, the ceremonial ground where the final cremation took place.
President of the Thailand chapter of NRNA Assajita Awale said the space and time to get for NRNA in Royal Monastery was very special when 19 million people were queued up to pay tribute to the popular late king. Awale also thanked all authorities, the temple abbot and Thai friends for making the special merit-making program for the widely revered king a success.
