Thais crowd gate of Grand Palace to pay last respect to revered King

BANGKOK, Oct 29 (TNA) -- Thais across the nation have flocked into the capital since last night to wait in line for the queuing card which would be given out early in the morning, as the Grand Palace is set to open its gates to allow the general public to pay last tribute to His late Majesty King Bhumibol's Adulyadej's remain for the first day this morning. The Bureau of the Royal Household had decided to open the gates to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace since 5.30am this early morning, to welcome the Thai people, who had arrived from across the country since last night, after hearing that they would be allowed to pay their last respect to His late Majesty the King starting today, without the need for a queuing card. Those who had paid their last respect would also receive a souvenir of a 5x7 colour portrait of the royal urn of His late Majesty King Bhumibol, with lettering on the back specifying that the souvenir was created in remembrance of HM King Bhumibol funeral at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. The bureau would allow the public to enter the gates of the throne hall until 9pm every night, granting around 10,000 people to pay their last tribute to His late Majesty each day, where a group of 70 people would enter at once, taking about 5 minutes each time to express their respect the farewell to the beloved monarch. King Bhumibol, who died at 88 two weeks ago, was adored by many of his subjects and seen as an anchor of stability in a kingdom rocked by turbulent politics. His passing has thrust the country into a year of official mourning, with most Thais wearing only black and white since his death and TV channels devoting hours of airtime to broadcast His hard work for the Thai people during his 70-year reign. (TNA)