RAILAY, Thailand — Sitting on the beach overlooking Railay bay, right after the sun had set, I had the uncomfortable realization that I was the first person around me to find out the revered Thai king had died after seven decades on the throne.
Business in the southern hippie resort town was usual. Beers were clinking, selfie sticks were out. A couple head-volleying a soccer ball 20, 40 times and filming it with their GoPro finally let it drop, laughing. Kids screamed.
The USA TODAY alert on my smartphone was the first about the king's death.
Then I got a notification in the "Girls LOVE Travel" Facebook group, a private 100,000-person community of female travelers. "The Thai king just died. This is a big deal. Remember to be respectful." "Wear black or white tomorrow," someone else commented.