Funeral for a Father.

Photos, video and text by Joshua Paul

Video for Vice News Tonight (HBO)

Mourners gather in front of the royal crematorium for the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

On October 26, 2017, the Thai people gathered outside the Grand Palace to bid farewell to their beloved father, the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was a sad day for the nation of over 68 million people.

According to an AFP report, almost 200,000 Thais attended the lavish 90 million dollars funeral procession which was packed with ancient rituals, grand processions and Buddhist rites.

King Bhumibol was 88 when he passed away last year. He was cremated this year on October 26 in a four-day royal cremation ceremony, on a royal pyre within a cremation complex constructed out of golden pavilions in front of Bangkok's Grand Palace.

Thailand observed a year of mourning for King Bhumibol, who was regarded as a pillar of stability during his seven-decade reign which witnessed political upheavals and rapid economic development.

October 26, 2017 was a day to remember; a memory that will remain in each and every Thai's heart. 

A mourner sits in front of the royal crematorium for the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

A Thai royal guard guards the royal crematorium before the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

VIDEO - Thai King's Cremation : VICE News Tonight (HBO)

Mourners gather in front of the royal crematorium for the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Thai policemen stands guard in front of the temple of Emerald Buddha before the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Thai royal guards marches past the royal crematorium during the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Thai royal guards stands guard during the funeral procession of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

The ceremonial urn of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is transported during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

The ceremonial urn of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is transported during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

The ceremonial urn of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is transported during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

A mourner holds up a portrait of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

A mourner wails for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, second from left, participates at the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, second from left, participates at the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Thai military personnel pay their respect during the funeral procession and royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

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