Entertainment in any form has literally ground to a halt as Thailand mourns the demise of its revered ruler, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.Β
Last week Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-serving monarch took his final breath & has left the country in state of lamentation. The nation is officially in a 30-day period of grief and it has been reported that some events across the country have been cancelled as a mark of honour.Β Officially, the Thai government has asked the public to abstain from entertainment for 30 days.
While Thailand’s exotic beaches and resorts remain open, some tourists’ plans to see particular events may already be ruined.Β In the northern city of Chiang Mai, the city government announced the annual Yi Peng Festival set for mid-November – in which tens of thousands of lanterns float into the sky, has been pulled out.
One of the towering tourist attractions in Thailand has been the Full Moon Party, a monthly all-night beach party, which takes place on Koh Pha Ngan Island. The October 17th party has been cancelled following the King’s death. The Morrissey concert, scheduled for October 18th, and Big Bang Made tour in Bangkok have also been cancelled. Apart from this, Germany-basedΒ ScorpionsΒ 50th Anniversary World Tour set for Oct 26th & several Korean pop music acts have also been cancelled.
Tourists in Thailand have been informed that the country is now in an official period of mourning and that although foreign visitors can carry on with their travel plans as usual, they have been advised to refrain from conducting any inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour.Β As a mark of respect, tourists are being instructed to wear black clothing at this point in time.
The sale and consumption of alcohol may also be banned for a fleeting period, as is often the case for religious occasions and remembrances in Thailand. However, it is currently understood that large shopping malls, tourist attractions and beaches will remain open for now.
