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Thais mourn death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej Thais mourn death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej
(about 2 hours later)
The people of Thailand are mourning the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, who died on Thursday aged 88.The people of Thailand are mourning the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, who died on Thursday aged 88.
An emotional crowd held a late-night vigil in Bangkok, and black-clad crowds are now returning to the streets. An emotional crowd held a late-night vigil in Bangkok, and black-clad crowds are now lining the streets.
The king's body will be taken to the city's Emerald Temple later on Friday. The official mourning will last a year.The king's body will be taken to the city's Emerald Temple later on Friday. The official mourning will last a year.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is expected be the new monarch, but has asked for a delay in succession.Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is expected be the new monarch, but has asked for a delay in succession.
The cabinet has declared Friday a government holiday, and flags are to fly at half-mast for the next 30 days.The cabinet has declared Friday a government holiday, and flags are to fly at half-mast for the next 30 days.
The government has also asked for people to wear black, and avoid "joyful events" during this period.The government has also asked for people to wear black, and avoid "joyful events" during this period.
News websites have turned their pages black and white, while tributes have been paid by leaders around the world.News websites have turned their pages black and white, while tributes have been paid by leaders around the world.
One person in Bangkok told the Associated Press: "There is no word to explain my feeling right now."One person in Bangkok told the Associated Press: "There is no word to explain my feeling right now."
"I lost one of the most important people in my life. I feel like I haven't done enough for him. I should have done more," said Gaewkarn Fuangtong."I lost one of the most important people in my life. I feel like I haven't done enough for him. I should have done more," said Gaewkarn Fuangtong.
Thousands of mourners are expected to line the streets of Bangkok on Friday afternoon when the king's body is moved from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace. Thousands of mourners are filling the streets of Bangkok to await the king's funeral procession. His body will be moved from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace on Friday afternoon.
The Crown Prince will conduct the bathing ceremony of the king's body - a traditional Thai Buddhist funeral rite - on Friday evening, said palace officials.The Crown Prince will conduct the bathing ceremony of the king's body - a traditional Thai Buddhist funeral rite - on Friday evening, said palace officials.
King Bhumibol was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and coups.King Bhumibol was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and coups.
He was widely respected across Thailand, and thought of by many as semi-divine. He was widely respected across Thailand, and thought of by many as semi-divine. He earned the devotion of Thais for his efforts to help the rural poor, such as agricultural development projects, and works of charity.
He had been ill for a long time. When news of his death was announced on Thursday evening, many in the large crowds outside the hospital where he died broke down. The king had been ill for a long time. When news of his death was announced on Thursday evening, many in the large crowds outside the hospital where he died broke down.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok says the king was a national father figure, a beacon of stability in a divided and worried country. A more uncertain era has begun, he adds.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok says the king was a national father figure, a beacon of stability in a divided and worried country. A more uncertain era has begun, he adds.
The succession process initially appeared straightforward, but is now likely to take longer to be clarified, says our correspondent.
The prince has said he will not formally take the crown immediately as he needs time to mourn his father's death.
The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014.The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014.
The country has suffered from political violence and upheaval over the past decade, as well as a long-running Muslim separatist insurgency in the southern provinces which sees regular small-scale bomb attacks.The country has suffered from political violence and upheaval over the past decade, as well as a long-running Muslim separatist insurgency in the southern provinces which sees regular small-scale bomb attacks.
Though a constitutional monarch with limited official powers, many Thais looked to King Bhumibol to intervene in times of high tension. He was seen as a unifying and calming influence through numerous coups and 20 constitutions.Though a constitutional monarch with limited official powers, many Thais looked to King Bhumibol to intervene in times of high tension. He was seen as a unifying and calming influence through numerous coups and 20 constitutions.
However, his critics argued he had endorsed military takeovers and at times had failed to speak out against human rights abuses.However, his critics argued he had endorsed military takeovers and at times had failed to speak out against human rights abuses.
Heir's challengeHeir's challenge
Although the prime minister said Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn would become the new monarch, he added that the official proclamation would be made at a later date.
He said the crown prince had confirmed that he would perform his duty as heir to the throne, but had asked for time to mourn his father's death.
The crown prince, who is 64, is much less well known to Thais and has not attained his father's widespread popularity. He spends much of his time overseas, especially in Germany.The crown prince, who is 64, is much less well known to Thais and has not attained his father's widespread popularity. He spends much of his time overseas, especially in Germany.
Profile: Crown Prince VajiralongkornProfile: Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Strict lese-majeste laws protect the most senior members of Thailand's royal family from insult or threat. Public discussion of the succession can be punishable by lengthy jail terms.Strict lese-majeste laws protect the most senior members of Thailand's royal family from insult or threat. Public discussion of the succession can be punishable by lengthy jail terms.
Given the pivotal role the king has played in maintaining the balance of power in Thailand's volatile political environment, the succession will be a formidable challenge for the government, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.Given the pivotal role the king has played in maintaining the balance of power in Thailand's volatile political environment, the succession will be a formidable challenge for the government, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.