UPDATE - Thousands line funeral route to see off Thai king

UPDATES SOURCING IN SECOND PARAGRAPH, ADDS PHOTOS, VIDEO

By Max Constant

BANGKOK (AA) - Thousands of people clad in black garb packed the streets of Bangkok on Friday to see a convoy carrying the body of their king.

With Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn asking for time before ascending the throne, Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, the chairman of Thailand's Privy Council, is to temporarily head the regency according to the interim constitution.

The 96-year-old -- a retired Thai military officer -- was long one of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's closest advisors and served as prime minister from March 3, 1980 to Aug. 4, 1988.

The crown prince traveled in a convoy carrying the king's body, which will lie at a temple in the Royal Palace where people can pay their final respects.

As millions watched on television, weeping mourners stood at the side of the procession holding up portraits of the king, while many others linked hands as the vehicle carrying his body slowly drove past.

Later, Vajiralongkorn bathed his father's body in the palace -- a traditional Thai Buddhist funeral rite -- to the sound of chanting monks.

The crown prince, who was made heir by his father in 1972, is reported to have told junta chief-cum-prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha that he wanted to observe a period of mourning with the Thai people before ascending the throne.

“He already accepted his appointment as a royal heir, but he requested time to deal with his grief and express his sadness alongside the people across the nation at this time,” said Chan-ocha.

“As for the succession, he wishes to wait until the appropriate time,” he added.

News of the death of Bhumibol -- the world's longest-reigning living monarch -- was announced Thursday, sparking an outpouring of grief.

A Sunday statement had said that his condition had not yet stabilized following a kidney dialysis operation at Bangkok's Siriraj hospital and he would remain “under close medical supervision”.

As news grew of his demise, hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital crying with burning sticks of incense in their hands.

Others, meanwhile, sat meditating with their eyes closed reciting Buddhist prayers.

“I feel so sad. It is the event in my life which caused me the deepest sadness,” Apinya Sotrakul, an employee who came to the hospital to kneel in front of a portrait of the king, told Anadolu Agency on hearing of Bhumibol's death.

“During his whole life, the king worked for the Thai people. He has always sacrificed himself for his people. I am proud that I was born under this king.”

Meanwhile, Wuttichai Sopakong, a middle-aged man sat on the lawn grieving not far from a statue of the late king's father, Prince Mahidol.

“I cannot really express my feeling. It is more than sadness. I tried to prepare myself for this, but when it happened I could not really come to terms with it.”

The funeral -- an enormous state affair -- will take place in several months.

The military government has decreed a period of one year of mourning.