Thai princess offers prayers for deceased king at Grand Palace

BANGKOK, Oct 15 (TNA) -- HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn went to Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace on Saturday to offer prayers for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to make merit. Prayers started before dawn at the palace, where the body of King Bhumibol Adulyadej is being kept as Thailand mourns and funeral preparations are made. King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died at Siriraj hospital on Thursday after suffering age-related illnesses for a period of time. His Majesty was 88 and would have turned 89 on December 5, 2016. Thousands of mourners lined Bangkok's streets Friday to pay last respect to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a royal motorcade transporting the body of the late monarch to the royal funeral at the Grand Palace. A van carrying Buddhist monks and the body of King Bhumibol led the royal convoy from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace. Sidewalks along the route of the royal motorcade were crowded with reverent mourners dressed in black, showing their love and devotion for the monarch as the convoy passed. Many were holding portraits of the King, some holding up banknotes bearing images of the beloved monarch. It is one of the first opportunities they could take to show their respect to the King. In his televised statement Thursday night, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said there would a one-year national mourning. Ascending to the throne in 1946, King Bhumibol is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. (TNA)