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Making a monarch: portraits of Thailand’s king flood country ahead of coronation
- King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s portrait has been in place at many state offices since he ascended the throne in 2016
- But imposing new images, some several-metres high, are mandatory ahead of his three-day coronation, which begins on Saturday
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It took US$6,400 and a 12-hour drive for the local mayor to pick up the shrine and towering portrait of Thailand’s king which will stand in the centre of town – a small part of a massive palace publicity campaign for this weekend’s coronation.
“Every government office across the country will do the same,” said Aunchalee Chamchang, the mayor of Thungkhanan, a clutch of villages east of the capital.
Portraits of King Maha Vajiralongkorn often dressed in a golden robe and staring inscrutably forward have been in place at many state offices since he ascended the throne in 2016.
But imposing new images, some several-metres high, and decorations are mandatory at every state office ahead of his three-day coronation, which begins on Saturday.
The most elaborate set-ups include the gilded-framed portrait, a large pedestal, flags, cone-shaped pan phum floral tributes and bunting in various shades of yellow – the colour of Thailand’s monarchy.
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