Following the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, many Thais got 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 to commemorate the king, including the number 9 written in Thai, as Bhumibol was the 9th king of the Rama dynasty. Photo: BBC. |
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| A few days after the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, many Thais flocked to tattoo parlors to commemorate the 'living saint' they revered and loved. "Tattoos not only express love but also respect and loyalty," one person getting a tattoo shared. Photo: BBC. |
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| “It’s a way to express and remember our admiration for our king,” said Esara Usada, 55, a tattoo artist and owner of Sak Lai tattoo shop. Tapanee Prasitsuk, Esara’s wife, added: “They have booked up for tattoos for the next month.” Photo: BBC. |
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| “The price for each tattoo is at least 2,000 baht (US$57). But to commemorate the king, the price will be as low as 1,000 baht,” Tapanee said. Some shops even charge 9 or 99 baht for tattoos commemorating the monarch. Photo: BBC. |
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| Piyaphan Phanwiroj, a 34-year-old police officer, has a Thai inscription tattooed on his neck that reads: "I was born during the reign of King Rama IX." Other common inscriptions include "I vow to serve you for life" and lyrics from the Thai national anthem. Photo: Reuters. |
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| Tattoo artists on Sukhumvit Road or in the Siam shopping center say that men and women of all ages come to get tattoos in memory of the king. Some famous actors have even posted pictures of their tattoos online, attracting many people to tattoo shops in Sukhumvit. Some have never had a tattoo before. Photo: BBC. |
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| King Bhumibol reigned for over 60 years. Therefore, many Thais had never known another king besides him. This 'living Buddha' was considered a symbol of stability in the land of temples. Photo: BBC. |
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| This tattoo, which cost 1,000 baht, means "I vow to be your subject for eternity." Photo: BBC. |
According to Zing.vn
