Throughout the first part of the day the king's supporters had sung royal songs and recited prayers at siriraj Hospital.Many wore carefully chosen colours - pink for goog health or yellow,the royal colour.Most knelt holding pictures of king Bhumibol,facing the part of the hospital where he was receiving treatment.
By early afternoon the mood had begun to change.With all of his children at his bedside,rumours were circulating that the 88-year-old had passed away.
The tears began to flow,and in between songs the call of God Save the King was shoufed with an almost visceral desperation.
The just before 19:00 local time,the news was official.A wave of emotion swept through the crowd.Many clung to each other and wept.
Thailand's father figure,a beacon of stability in a divided and worried country,had died.A new ,more uncertain era has begun.