Thousands of volunteers worked throughout the night on a massive floral display to honour the memory of the late King Bhumibol. The “Flowers for Father” event is taking place in front of Yodpiman Flower Market from now until 27 October. A 300 meter stretch of road in front of the flower market has been closed (see map). The floral display will be open 24 hours a day. Entry is free.

“ถนนสวนดอกไม้” 21-27 ตุลาคม 2560 บริเวณถนนจักรเพชร (ปากคลองตลาด)

There are a total of six arches along Chakphet Road which have been beautifully decorated with literally thousands and thousands of flowers. Many of them are yellow marigolds which is the colour representing HM King Bhumibol.

ARCH 1: Thais – This floral tunnel is made in the form of flying cloth, 89 meters in length, decorated initially with white flowers. The color of the flowers gradually changes until they become the colors of the Thai national flag at the end. The arrangement implies that different people were born as individuals, but after spending their lives in Thailand during king King Bhumibol’s reign, “they” have become “we”. In addition, the 89 meter length of the cloth represents the 89 years of his life.

During the display, visitors are invited to light candles by walking through the tunnel symbolizing that his words and his teachings were always able to keep Thai people safe and no matter how strong the storms were and will be, they will never be able to destroy the trust Thai people have held in him, trust that will stay in Thai people’s hearts forever.

ARCH 2: Rainfall – This lotus flower station is inspired by the wilts lotus offered to King Bhumibol by the old Thai village woman known as Yai Toom or Granny Toom who patiently waited among other Thais in the hot sun to honor King Bhumibol with the lotus she had picked up, and the king gently and lovingly accepted her flower, regardless of how burnt and dry the lotus was.

His acceptance of her small, poor lotus offering was like the streams of love and care he had for his Thai people and shared similarities with rainfail which gives life to all plants, including lotus flowers, all over the nation. It is of some significance, that the lotus is a kind of flower Thais usually reserve as an offering to Buddha. Lotus flowers arranged in different steps also represent Buddha’s teachings which lead Thai people to live good lives from generation to generation.

ARCH 3: Home – With 77 golden daffodils, the station is arranged to represent the everlasting love and gratitude of Thai people in the 77 provinces of Thailand towards King Bhumibol, the father of the nation, who throughout his life demonstrated continuous devotion to his beloved people. The flowers also represent offerings of respect from individual Thai’s to the Father for his journey from his beloved nation to heaven, the place where he belongs.

ARCH 4: King Rama IX – Using thousands of marigolds, this station is radiant and beautifully arranged as floral curtain in King Bhumibol’s colour, yellow. The Thai number 9, which is clearly seen from the entrance of the station indicating the number of the king in the Chakri dynasty. In addition, the bright yellow color of the marigolds represents the nation’s greatest period of peace and prosperity, which had not been attained in any former time, resulting in the king being referred to as “king of kings”.

ARCH 5: Montharop – The station is designed to represent the gate to heaven with “Montharop or heavenly flowers” on the approach. According to Thai belief, Montharops were sent from heaven to earth only when heaven acquired earth’s agony. Because the departure of King Bhumibol from earth to heaven has caused Thai people to experience such great agony, thus heaven has sent Montharops.

Each side of heaven’s gate is decorated with cascades of white flowers and small groups of white elephants, the King’s creature, representing Thai peoples everlasting love, gratitude and respect for the king who is on his journey to heaven. It also represents the commitment and promises of Thais to observe and apply his policies each day of their lives.