Thousands of Thais yesterday streamed into the gates of Bangkok’s Grand Palace, as the public was granted its first chance to enter the throne hall where the body of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is lying in state.
Bhumibol, who died at 88 two weeks ago, was adored by many of his subjects and seen as an anchor of stability in a kingdom rocked by turbulent politics.
His passing has thrust the country into a year of official mourning, with most Thais wearing only black and white since his death and television stations devoting hours of airtime to footage from his 70-year reign.
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 before a portrait of the monarch.
However, yesterday was the first time the public has been allowed to enter the ornate throne hall where his body is lying in a coffin behind a gilded urn.
“I have been waiting here since 1am,” said Saman Daoruang, an 84-year-old sitting in a massive queue that snaked around a large field outside the palace, where tens of thousands were gathered by morning.
Many of the black-clad mourners, who hailed from around the country, were seen wiping away tears as they left the spired building.
Authorities have said 10,000 people would be permitted to enter the hall per day.
Like many in the crowd, Saman slept under a tent on the grassy parade grounds after arriving in Bangkok by train from northern Nakhon Sawan Province.
“But I have not been able to sleep because I was so thrilled and proud to come here,” he said, clutching several portraits of the monarch.
Thailand’s arch-royalist military government, which came to power in a 2014 coup, has encouraged mass displays of devotion for the late king and arranged a flurry of free bus, train and boat rides to move mourners to the capital.
It has also stepped up its enforcement of lese majeste — a draconian law that punishes criticism of the monarchy with up to 15 years in prison per infringement.
The law has significantly curbed public discussion of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who has yet to attract the same level of devotion as his father.
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