In the wake of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, millions of Thais took to social media to express their respect and sorrow, in their own ways. During those darkest hours, an outpour of online tributes to the late King shone so brightly and consoled countless of grieving hearts -- including ours. Here's just a fraction of the most heartfelt online tributes, their creators and the inspirations behind them.
Peera Suk-a-sa,
designer/art director
"I drew the original image to celebrate the King's birthday in 2013 (which he turned black and white). I made it my goal to draw a tribute to him every year on his birthday. All of the images I drew were recreated from my favourite photographs of him. They are the ones capturing him smiling or enjoying his hobbies. I grew up looking at these pictures more than the other ones of him."
Ariya Guptarak,
graphic designer
"I drew pictures of the King because I miss him. I particularly admired the unshakeable love Their Majesties had for one another. No matter where royal duties took them -- even when in rural remote areas -- we always saw our King and Queen side by side. Their relationship is such an exemplar of great, unconditional love. I believe Their Majesties love all of their subjects unconditionally as well."
Yurawat Surattanasathitkul,
art director
"This was inspired by the outpour of love everyone had shown to the King. I believe every Thai already has their own image of the King to remember him by. With this tribute, I chose to focus on his glasses and combined them with the Thai number nine (as he was the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty).
I wished to create something that reminds all Thais of him."
Tunlaya Dunnvatanachit,
visual designer at Fungjai/illustrator/comic artist
"I created it because I could feel that we're so emotionally fragile right now. But I want us to stay strong. I think our Father would have wanted us to stay strong and we should honour his wish."
"Was it just a bad dream, father?"
"I have to go. Take care of yourself."
Mallika Thaima,
design engineer
"His passing is like a nightmare and I wish it never happened. To me, this is the greatest loss of my life. Although we all wish it was a nightmare, we now have to wake up and face reality. He would have been saddened too to see how his people were so distraught over losing him. I think the King would have wanted us Thais to take good care of each other after he's gone."
Chaw Khanawutikarn,
tv commercial director
"The King loved his mother so much. I'd like to think that they are happy being back together again. We all mourn and grieve his passing but, on the other hand, we can take solace in thinking that he is now able to rest and be reunited with his mother. I hope this drawing helps my fellow Thais deal with this great loss."
Michelle "Chellin" Cygnel,
cartoonist
"The King would have wanted all Thais to love each other and unite. Thailand is like a big house with many people from all walks of life. What we can do to make the King happy is to be good and make this house beautiful. We all can start with ourselves, doing our duties to the best of our ability and uniting during this hard time. We can make this house warm and welcoming. I think it would be the greatest gift Thai children could ever give their Father."
Porcupine Cafe posted a video of a live wall painting of the King.
Watcharaphon Thongyan,
artist/barista
"I chose to recreate a picture of the King smiling on the wall. I wanted to remind people to smile even in these dark hours. The King would have wanted us to."
Nathawee Limpanilchart,
illustrator/admin of Maa Ja facebook page
"I wanted to pay a tribute to the King in my way. He adopted street dogs as his pets, including Khun Thong Daeng. I drew one picture in which the king is surrounded by his dogs from an actual photo. The other one which I drew myself is the King reuniting with Khun Thong Daeng. I hope they afford some consolation to people -- no matter how small it is."
