UPDATE 2 - PM says new Thai king may be announced in 15 days

UPDATES WITH COLOR FROM GRAND PALACE THROUGHOUT

By Max Constan

BANGKOK (AA) - Tens of thousands of people are camping out overnight in front of Thailand’s' Grand Palace, where funeral ceremonies for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej are taking place.

On Tuesday, around 20,000 Thais could be seen sat on the lawn of the Royal Plaza, a large open area in front of the palace, where they followed Buddhist ceremonies attended by members of the royal family taking place within the compound on giant TV screens.

While most prayed with their hands clasped to a soundtrack of monks chanting, others placed jasmine flower garlands at the foot of a large black and white picture of Bhumibol.

“I came to accompany our king for his last trip,” said Krissada Nattavakorn, adding that he had brought his wife so they could spend a few hours at the plaza

“For me, he is like a father. I think all Thais have the same feeling. It is a great moment of national unity."

Five days after the highly revered 88-year-old's 70-year reign came to an end following a long spell in hospital, shock continues to reverberate across the Southeast Asian country.

On Tuesday, junta-leader-cum prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha underlined that the country must observe at least 15 days of mourning before Bhumibol's successor can ascend the throne.

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Chan-ocha said that Thais worldwide need not worry about succession as everything was going according to procedure.

"After at least 15 days of mourning, it will be appropriate to enact article 23 of the constitution," he said.

Article 23 covers royal succession where the heir to the throne is announced before the legislative assembly and the nation.

Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn has asked for time before ascending the throne -- with Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, the chairman of Thailand's Privy Council, temporarily heading the regency according to the constitution.

Chan-ocha said last week that Vajiralongkorn's official coronation would take place after Bhumibol's cremation, which will follow a year of mourning.

The prince, however, can become king before the coronation.

On Tuesday, people began queuing in the early hours for 100-baht banknotes commemorating the king's 2011 birthday anniversary, while for several hundred meters around the walls of the Grand Palace people continued to place flowers and pictures of the monarch.

Scores of volunteers provided free food and drinks while some provided free motorcycle rides to help mourners travel to and from Bangkok's elevated metro stations.

Late Monday, Sunthorn Petsakorn, a private company employee handing out bottles of water to mourners, told Anadolu Agency that he and his colleagues had collected money and were helping "the people” nightly.

“That is the least we can do for our king," he said.

All around, a sense of common grief and solidarity was palpable.

“I think the Thais will help each other in this situation. They know we have to show solidarity," Araya Sotrakul, who came along with several friends, told Anadolu Agency.

"Everybody is here to show his or her love for the King,” she added.

Meanwhile, stalls on the nearby Rajdamnoen Road were doing brisk business selling framed portraits of the late monarch and pictures of the royal family.

Most mourners from northern Thailand told Anadolu Agency that they would sleep on the royal plaza.

According to the BMA, around 200,000 mourners per day have visited the Grand Palace since Friday -- among them many foreign tourists amazed at the spectacle

“I am not a monarchist, but I just find it incredible,” French woman Johanna Sartin told Anadolu Agency.

“All these people gathering for their king… I have total respect. It astounds me.”