From Sydney to San Francisco to London, the pain of thousands of Thais living across the globe was clearly felt after His Majesty's death was announced on Thursday.
Thai citizens gathered at temples and public squares in impromptu outpourings of grief -- crying, hugging and consoling each other at the terrible news from their homeland.
For Pimsupang Boonperm, 23, a volunteer teacher in Lima, Peru, a South American country with only 40 Thai residents, there was little but the comfort of strangers.
Making him proud: Pimsupang Boonperm is working in Lima, Peru.
She had gone to bed the night before concerned about His Majesty's health and awoke at 6am the next day to 500 Line messages and Facebook posts from her friends reading "RIP 1927-2016".
"While my tears were streaming down my face, I knew I couldn't be alone. I know I needed someone to shout at me 'This is not real. It's just a bad dream'," she told the Bangkok Post Sunday.
She went to school and tried not to cry, but did. She did her best to explain in broken Spanish why her heart had been broken. "People gave me a hug, and I was crying even harder."
Ms Pimsupang sent a message to the Thai Embassy in Lima asking if she could come in to be around her countrymen and women. "Yes, please do," was the reply.
She had taken one black dress with her on her travels but never thought she would need it. When she arrived at the embassy the national flag was flying at half mast which only sparked the sadness again.
When she finally saw a fellow Thai, she could truly share her grief. "We just hugged," she said. "I just hugged her so tight while I was crying even harder. 'I am not ready for this', I told her. 'No one is,' she replied."
Ms Pimsupang is now helping the embassy contact other Thais in Peru to take part in a signing ceremony.
Her parents wanted her to return home, but she wants to complete what she calls her teaching programme to help the less fortunate in Peru. "I know that what I am doing is good and I want to make him proud. I think if father is looking at us from above he would want us to be strong and carry on."
In Argentina, Swangwat Srimahakote, charge d'affaires of the Thai Embassy said the ambassador's residence would receive guests who wished to sign a condolence book. "After Thais learned the news, they came to offer their help with the decoration of the ambassador's residence. Some helped with flower arrangements."
There are between 70 and 100 Thais living in Argentina, including students and housewives, said Mr Swangwat.
Thais mourn at Wat Buddharangsee in Annandale, Australia. (Photo by Pipad Krajejun)
In Sydney, which has the second largest Thai expat community after Los Angeles, the grief was apparent.
About 400 Thais dressed in black attended prayers for His Majesty at Wat Buddharangsee in the suburb of Annandale on Friday evening followed by meditation. The prayer session will continue until Monday.
Prasit Niwetthong, an editor of the Thai-language Sydney newspaper Thai Town News, said he burst into tears when he heard the news. "I've seen him all my life. I was born when he was in his reign. I've seen him working hard for as long as I can remember," he said.
"I have spoken to other Thais, many of them were feeling very down."
Mr Prasit said that a Thai friend had to take a week off from work to cope with her grief, which her manager understood. Australians and other foreigners also expressed their sympathies.
"We are not in Thailand during this time, but we can be good and do good deeds. It is clear now that Thai people, regardless of where we are, love our King," said Mr Prasit.
Thais mourn in Boston. (Photo by Bamka Boyd)
In Boston, Totsaporn Intarabumrung, a member of the Thai Association of Boston, said around 300 Thais and Americans on Thursday gathered at the King Bhumibol Aduyadej Square. "This is the landmark for people to bid farewell to His Majesty," he said.
Mr Totsaporn said Thais from neighbouring states came to pay tribute to the King by laying flowers and wreaths. From 7pm, people from around the area came to hold a candlelight vigil after they learned of the King's passing.
Mr Totsaporn added, "I expect more people during the weekend. Two temples in Massachusetts also plan to conduct religious ceremonies to pay tribute to the King."
He said he was stunned and shocked by the news. "Although I have been living in the US for more than 20 years, I have grown up under the King's reign and I have great respect for him. And my proudest moment was when His Majesty handed me a BA certificate on my commencement date at Chulalongkorn University more than 20 years ago," he said.
Republican Party stalwart Jeb Bush also came to pay tribute to the King.
King's birthplace: Totsaporn Intarabumrung, in Boston, pays tribute to HM the King.
In San Francisco, restaurant manager Wanvisa Wattanadumrong, 37, said the tight-knit Thai community quickly galvanised after the news came through.
"I woke up in the morning and saw my family had sent messages to my phone to tell me about the King's death. My heart dropped, I broke down in tears, and I bowed my head down on the pillow. It was the moment I realised the King who I respect like my own father is no longer here."
After telling her staff they should mourn the King's passing and receiving condolences from American friends and customers, she sent a message to all Thais living in the Bay Area to attend a memorial ceremony at San Francisco City Hall.
At 11pm, she was surprised to see at least a 1,000 people had turned up.
"Everyone came with a candle. We lit them in front of the King's image. It was such a memorable sight. Then we stood still to mourn for nine minutes before we sang the King's anthem together."
Thais mourn in London. (Photo by Prasit Niwetthong)
In London, a ceremony was also staged but not as big as the one in San Francisco. Pipad Krajaejun, a lecturer from Thammasat University who is studying in London, said the Thai Embassy allowed people to sign a book of condolences.
Mr Pipad also attended a memorial ceremony at London's Wat Buddhapadipa which will continue until Friday.
He said many people of different races and nationalities showed up to pray and shed tears together. "It feels like we all lost our own blood relative. We all feel the same way," Mr Pipad said.
