After the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, many Thais have been getting tattoos as a way to commemorate the king.
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| Sak Lai Tattoo Studio is a large shop in a popular shopping district in central Bangkok. The shop has prepared many tattoo designs in memory of the king, including the number 9 written in Thai because Bhumibol was the ninth king of the Rama dynasty. Photo: BBC. |
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| In the days since the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, many Thais have been visiting tattoo parlours to commemorate the beloved and revered 'living god'. "Tattoos are not only a way to show love but also respect and loyalty," said one tattoo recipient. Photo: BBC. |
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| “It’s a way to show and remember our admiration for our king,” said Esara Usada, 55, a tattoo artist and owner of Sak Lai. “They’re booked for the next month,” said Esara’s wife, Tapanee Prasitsuk. Photo: BBC. |
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| “The price for a tattoo is at least 2,000 baht ($57). But to commemorate the king, each tattoo will cost only 1,000 baht,” Tapanee said. Some shops even charge 9 or 99 baht for a tattoo in memory of the king. Photo: BBC. |
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| Piyaphan Phanwiroj, a 34-year-old policeman, has a tattoo on his neck that reads in Thai: “I was born during the reign of King Rama IX.” Other popular inscriptions include “I will be your servant for the rest of my life” and lyrics from the Thai national anthem. Photo: Reuters. |
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| Tattoo artists on Sukhumvit Road and the Siam shopping mall say men and women of all ages are coming in to get inked in memory of the king. Several famous actors have even posted their tattoos online, prompting a rush of people to visit Sukhumvit tattoo parlours. Some have never had a tattoo before. Photo: BBC. |
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| King Bhumibol has reigned for more than 60 years. As a result, many Thais have never known another king. This 'living Buddha' is seen as a symbol of stability in the land of pagodas. Photo: BBC. |
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| This 1,000 baht tattoo means “I vow to be your subject forever.” Photo: BBC. |
According to Zing.vn
