Thousands queue to visit coffin of late Thai king

Bangkok: Thousands of Thais streamed into the gates of Bangkok`s Grand Palace on Saturday 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 aged 88 two weeks ago, was adored by many of his subjects and seen as an anchor of stability in a kingdom rocked by political turmoil.

His passing has thrust the country into a year of official mourning, with many Thais wearing only black and white since his death and TV channels 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 late monarch.

But Saturday was the first time the public has been allowed to enter the ornate throne hall where his body is lying in a coffin, out of sight, near a gilded urn.

"I have been waiting here since 1:00 am," said Saman Daoruang, an 84-year-old sitting in a massive queue that snaked around a large field outside the palace.

Like many in the crowd, Saman camped out under a tent on the grassy parade grounds, having arrived in Bangkok by train from northern Nakhon Sawan province.

"But I wasn`t able to sleep because I was so thrilled and proud to come here," he told AFP, clutching several portraits of the monarch.

An initial plan to limit visitors to 10,000 per day was dropped Saturday after crowds swelled to 100,000, according to a monitoring centre outside the palace. 

However, Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a government spokesman, urged people "not to rush to come in the early days" as the throne hall would be open for "a long time".

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 the free bus, train and boat rides to move mourners to the capital.

It has also stepped up its enforcement of lese majeste -- a law that punishes criticism of the monarchy with up to 15 years in prison per infringement.

All media based in Thailand must self-censor to avoid falling foul of the law. 

The legislation has also severely curbed public discussion about the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who has yet to attract the same level of devotion as his father. 

In a move that surprised many and veered from tradition, the 64-year-old asked to delay his proclamation as king in order to grieve with the nation, according the junta.

The government has not provided a clear timeline for when he will formally ascend the throne.