Thousands of Thais have streamed through the gates of Bangkok's Grand Palace courtesy of free government-provided transport. The public was granted its first chance to view King Bhumibol Adulyadej lying in state.
Image: Reuters/J. Silva
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Around 80,000 Thais gathered Saturday hoping to pay their respects before the funeral urn of the world's longest-reigning monarch. For the past two weeks crowds have massed outside the Grand Palace, a compound of shimmering temples and pavilions in Bangkok's old quarter, to pay tribute to the king who lived to the age of 88.
"I have been waiting here since 1 a.m.," Saman Daoruang, an 84-year-old sitting in a massive queue told the Agence France-Presse news agency. The line snaked around a large field outside the palace.
Thailand's arch-royalist military government, which took power in a 2014 coup, has coordinated mass displays of devotion for the late king and arranged free transport to move mourners to the capital. It has also stepped up its enforcement of lese majeste, a law that punishes criticism of the monarchy with up to 15 years in prison per infringement.
Media based in Thailand must self-censor to avoid falling foul of the law, one of the world's strictest. The legislation has also severely curbed public discussion about the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who has yet to attract the same loyalty as his father.
Thailand's military junta has declared a year-long period of mourning for the late king, formally known as Rama IX, and many Thais are wearing black as a sign of respect. Thailand's government said last week that it had asked countries to extradite nearly 20 people suspected of insulting the monarchy but it's unclear if any nation would comply.
Thailand's King Bhumibol - a life in pictures
Thailand's beloved monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej has passed away, leaving the nation in a state of utter grief. For over seven decades, he was seen as a unifying figure in the country. It's unclear what happens next.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The 'eternal king' is no more
At the age of 88, King Bhumibol died at the Siriraj hospital in Thailand's capital Bangkok, the royal palace said in a statement. No other Thai monarch had reigned as long. This June, Thais had celebrated his 70th jubilee. Bhumibol spent much of his time over the past few years in hospital with various health problems.
Image: AP
Prayers for an idol
Until the very end, the Thai people hoped that the doctors would once again be able to save and extend the life of the world's longest-reigning living monarch. But the aged king had suffered from acute pneumonia, in addition to a string of major health issues such as renal failure.
Image: Reuters/C. Subprasom
A world traveler
Born on December 5, 1927, in the US, Bhumibol spent much of his childhood and youth in Switzerland. Even after his coronation, he and his wife Sirikit remained frequent travelers and toured the world. The couple had four children: three daughters and one son.
Image: imago/Xinhua
Deeply revered
The king was widely revered in the country until his death. Bhumibol ascended to the Thai throne in 1946, when he was just 18-years old. The royal portrait is seen not only on the country's bank notes and stamps, but also in people's houses, even if it's not mandated by the state.
Image: Reuters/S. Teepapan
No criticism allowed
Supported by his popularity among the people and protected by a rigid "lèse majesté" law - which makes criticism of the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison - Bhumibol repeatedly pursued his interests, while contributing much to the cohesion of Thailand's divided society. To that end, he relied on a well-entrenched royalist network within the political, business and military classes.
Image: Reuters/A. Perawongmetha
A hobby photographer
In his private life, Bhumibol's hobbies included music and photography. The camera was one of the monarch's loyal companions. He also worked as a jazz musician and composed his own tunes. He once even played with jazz legend Benny Goodman.
Image: PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
An omnipresent figure
Although Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy, Bhumibol was more than a symbolic figure. He shaped the political, economic and social destinies of the country for decades.
Image: Reuters/J. Silva
A sacrosanct
Despite the political turmoil that shook Thailand during his reign, with a total of 17 coups taking place, Bhumibol was seen as a unifying figure in the Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (center of photo) is seen commemorating the 70th anniversary of the king's reign in June this year.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/L. Suwanrumpha
The succession
The royal succession is an extremely sensitive topic in Thailand. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the king's 64-year-old son, is the heir apparent, but he has not achieved the same level of devotion that his father enjoyed. That's why it's rumored that some in Thailand favor the crown prince's more popular sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn (left), to take the throne.
