Thailand mourns much-loved king

MORE than 10,000 Thais waited in line, enduring a monsoon downpour before officials opened gates to mourners hoping to witness late king Bhumibol Adulyadej’s five-day cremation ceremony.

Sheltering themselves with portraits of their beloved king, thousands of black-clad Thais slept on the pavement near the cremation site, forming long lines before officials let them through designated checkpoints early yesterday.

“I was rushing to reserve a spot since 9pm last night,” said Kanokporn Netsarika, who travelled 840km from Phuket.

“I have to be here despite the heavy rains.”

Deeply revered as a father figure, Bhumibol’s death last October after seven decades on the throne has sent Thailand into a year of mourning.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Bhumibol’s only son, was to mark the beginning of his late father’s elaborate cremation ceremony with Buddhist rites held at the Grand Palace in Bangkok where the late king is lying in state.

The actual cremation will take place late today at a complex close to the Grand Palace and will be attended by 7000 guests — among them foreign dignitaries from 42 countries.

About 250,000 to 300,000 people are expected to attend the funeral rites around the square, amid tight security.

World leaders set to attend include Australia’s Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, Prince Andrew of England, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.

Thai authorities say more than 12 million people have visited the remains of the king since they were opened to the public at the Grand Palace after his death on October 13 last year.