While being a predominantly Buddhist country, the Thai government has ordered all government agencies and state enterprises to place flags at half-mast for three days as a show of respect and mourning for Pope Francis. This comes into effect from Wednesday to Friday, April 23-25.
In a The Nation report, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued the directive following the death of Pope Francis on Monday at 88. According to the Vatican, Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 AM on Monday at his residence, a day after his Easter message. The Pope succumbed to cerebral stroke, coma and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican confirms.
The Thai PM expressed her condolences for the Pope’s passing through a Facebook post. She said that the Pope had “inspired millions of people across faiths and nations” through his “unwavering compassion, moral courage, noble humility, and tireless pursuit of peace.”