Elephants pay their respects to King Bhumibol
AYUTTHAYA - Two hundred mahouts accompanied by 11 elephants paid their respects to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace on Tuesday.
The elephants, trucked from Ayutthaya to the Grand Palace, walked from the nearby Territorial Defence Command to the area in front of the Defence Ministry around 9.50am.
The animals and mahouts observed a moment of silence in front of the Grand Palace.
The elephants then knelt before a portrait of the late King as their keepers sang the royal anthem Sansoen Phra Barami.
Mourners joined in singing the anthem in tribute to the beloved monarch.
The mahouts and the elephants then paid respects to the Pink Elephant Statue at Sanam Luang and gave a performance for mourners waiting to enter the palace.
Laithonglean Meephan, the owner of the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal, said the animals were trained to perform in honour of the late King.
All mahouts appreciated King Bhumibol's generosity and help for elephants.