A royal convoy has carried the body of Thailand's King Bhumibol past thousands of weeping Thais to his riverside Grand Palace in Bangkok ahead of a funeral and a traditional royal cremation that will need months to prepare.
The world's longest-reigning monarch, who was worshipped as a father figure during his 70-year reign, died in a Bangkok hospital on Thursday after a long illness. He was 88.
The convoy, which included heir apparent Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, moved slowly through Bangkok's ancient quarter past mourners dressed in black, many of them holding aloft portraits of the king.
According to tradition, the bodies of Thai royals are placed in a golden urn. But palace officials said the tradition was no longer upheld and the king's body would be placed in a coffin with a symbolic royal urn near it.
Later on Friday at the Grand Palace, Prince Vajiralongkorn will preside as Buddhist monks chant over the remains.
The king had been in poor health for several years but his death has shocked the Southeast Asian nation of 67 million people and plunged it into grief.
Most people in the capital and in towns across the country dressed in black but shops opened for business on Friday.
The cabinet declared a government holiday for mourning but the Stock Exchange of Thailand and other financial institutions opened as normal.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is expected to be the new king but he does not command the same adoration that his father earned over a lifetime on the throne.
At the Grand Palace, thousands of mourners, some sobbing, lined up to kneel before a portrait of the king and make a ritual pouring of water as part of royal funeral rites.
"I still feel like I'm dreaming. I can't believe it happened," said Supawan Wongsawas, 64, a retired civil servant.
Suthad Kongyeam, 53, said it felt like losing a father.
"He was the heart of the whole country," said Suthad. "Everything is shaken. There is nothing to hold on to anymore."
Thailand has endured bomb attacks and economic worries recently while rivalry simmers between the military-led establishment and populist political forces after a decade of turmoil including two coups and deadly protests.
Military government leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the country was in "immeasurable grief ... profound sorrow and bereavement".
Thailand's strict lese-majeste laws have left little room for public discussion about the succession.
The junta has promised an election next year and pushed through a constitution to ensure its oversight of civilian governments. It looks firmly in control for a royal transition
Reuters
