The official events began at Phuket Provincial Hall at 7.30am with a mass prayer and blessing at the Multipurpose Hall followed by merit-making by offering alms to 49 monks at the main courtyard of Phuket Provincial Hall on Tha Kraeng Rd.
At 8:30am, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Phuket Provincial Auditorium nearby.
Concluding the day at 6pm, a candle-lighting ceremony and a chanting of Buddhist mantras in honor of King Bhumibol The Great were held at Wat Kathu Temple.
Governor Sophon was joined at the events by other top-ranking provincial officials as well as his spouse, President of Phuket Red Cross Busadee Suwannarat.
Last month, the government approved the news official name for the memorial day for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great on Oct 13 as "Navamindra Maharaj Day". The name was endorsed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X).
The words "Navamindra Maharaj" mean the Ninth Greatest King as Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great was the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty.
King Rama IX passed away on Oct 13, 2016, at Siriraj Hospital at age 88. Every year Oct 13 sees numerous activities throughout the country held to honour the King.