Thais honour late King Bhumibol Adulyadej with tattoos
- Published
Tattooists in Thailand have been busy since King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, with many people wanting to pay tribute to the king in ink.
BBC Thai photographer Wasawat Lukharang visited two tattoo parlours in the Thai capital Bangkok.
Many customers have asked for a tattoo declaring they were "born in the reign of King Rama IX", as the king was also known. Most Thais have known no other monarch and King Bhumibol was seen as an anchor of stability in a country that has seen no shortage of turbulent politics.
King Bhumibol was widely revered in Thailand, and ruled for 70 years. His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is heir apparent, but it is unclear when he will take the throne.
Thais are currently deep in mourning. The country has strict lese majeste laws that make it illegal to insult, defame or threaten the most senior members of the royal family.
Tattooists on Sukhumvit Road and in the Siam Shopping Center said men and women of all ages had come in asking for tattoos in honour of the late king. Some had never been tattooed before.
The tattoos cost up to 1,000 Thai baht (£23). This one reads: "I pledge to be your subject in every life".
Some parlours have been charging nine or 99 Thai baht for tattoos honouring the king, who was the ninth Thai monarch from the Chakri dynasty.
Some well-known actors had posted pictures of their tattoos honouring the king online, which sent many people to a particular parlour on Sukhumvit Road.
This tattoo speaks of doing "good deeds for the father", referring to the late king.
Customers told the BBC that they wanted to "do something" for the king. This tattoo shows the numeral 9 in the Thai language.
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