The passing of Thailand’s king was mourned during a service in Warrnambool on Monday.
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Ronnie Knackstedt, who owns the Siamese Restaurant where the service was held, said she would wear black and white for 100 days – except when she was in her work uniform - to mourn her king. “I’m just so sad,” she said. King Bhumibol was the world’s longest-reigning monarch when he died on Thursday aged 88.
Ronnie said she had photos of the king – who she refers to as her father - in her house, her restaurant and in her wallet.
“We call him father because he’s like a father-figure,” Jan Vijarnpol, who also works at the restaurant, said.
“We all revere our king. To us he’s a father who put the country together and made everyone work together.”
Jan said that even though the king had been unwell for some time, his death still came as a big shock.
Seven monks travelled from Melbourne for the service which included prayers and songs that had been written for the king.