Thais gather to pay respects before late king’s urn

By Arun Saronchai

BANGKOK (AA) – Tens of thousands of Thais have gathered to pay their respects before a royal urn bearing late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the first day authorities have allowed the public to mourn inside the urn room.

Thais from across the country have traveled from the provinces to Bangkok to pay homage to the king -- who had been the world’s longest reigning living monarch until his death Oct. 13 at age 88 -- as the country observes a one-year period of mourning.

The royal body is currently lying in state while awaiting religious and cremation rites which will likely be conducted in a year's time.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority told reporters in a statement Saturday that at least 70,000 people had made their way to the royal square hoping to express their condolences before the king -- seen as controlling factor in kingdom's turbulent political history.

Only 10,000 people, however, would be admitted inside the palace to carry out ceremonies in the throne room.

Thailand is currently without a monarch and ruled by regent Prem Tinsulanonda who was the head of the Privy Council.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, has asked that he be allowed to mourn his father -- who was seen as a controlling factor in the kingdom's turbulent political history -- before ascending the throne.

The prince is not as popular as his late father and media reports Friday suggested that he had flown to Germany, where his son is in school, to sort out personal affairs before returning next month.

He has been featured on television regularly since the death of his father, carrying out Buddhist funeral rites, and is due back in the country before the 50-day mark in December.