An estimated 300,000 Thais have gathered in Bangkok to pay tribute to their beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died a year ago at the age of 88.
The five-day funeral, which officially started on Wednesday, took a year to prepare and is said to cost an eye-watering $90million (£68million).
Today, the King’s remains are being moved in three ceremonial stages from the Grand Palace to the Royal Crematorium.
Bhumibol Adulyadej died on October 13, 2016, after serving as Thailand’s king for seven decades and becoming the longest reigning monarch in the world.
Distraught Thai mourners were seen weeping as the Royal Urn passed through the packed streets.
Brining you the latest news and live updates from the Thai King’s funeral (All times in BST).
11.50am: Thai King’s urn placed in Royal Crematorium
The late king’s ceremonial urn has been placed in the Royal Crematorium.
After being pulled through Bangkok on the Royal Chariot of Great Victory, the urn was lifted onto the Royal Gun Carriage and carried around the cremation site three times in an anticlockwise direction.
Adulyadej’s son briefly paid his respects before leaving the crematorium.
He is due to return at about 4.30pm local time, according to the Bangkok Post, when religious ceremonies and rituals will get underway.
Thai King funeral in pictures: Latest photos
Thu, October 26, 2017
Millions of Thais bid their final farewell to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in an elaborate Royal Cremation ceremony on 26 October 2017. King Bhumibol died at the age of 88 in Siriraj hospital on 13 October 2016 after 70 years on the throne
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General view of the crematorium tower and the funeral procession for Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok,
11.30am: Royal Urn is pulled to the Royal Crematorium in Bangkok
The Royal Urn is being taken from the Grand Palace to the crematorium in Bangkok, accompanied by 965 soldiers.
It has been placed upon the The Great Victory Chariot – an ornate carriage made from wood and gilded with gold and mirrors.
The chariot is being pulled by 216 men to the crematorium in a procession that includes members of the royal family and involves 2,406 troops, according to Reuters.
Finally, the urn will be placed on the Royal Gun Carriage and moved anti-clockwise around the Royal Crematorium three times.
The King’s body has been transported to the cremation site separately in a coffin.
SEE THE LATEST PHOTO: THAI KING FUNERAL IN PICTURES
REUTERS
Thai King funeral live: The Royal Urn is being pulled to the crematorium
11.15am: Thai King to be cremated later today
The late King of Thailand is expected to be cremated at about 10pm local time today and the pyre will be lit by his son and new Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
A funeral of pomp and ceremony is featuring extravagant military parades, lavish carriages and meticulously rehearsed tributes.
10.30am: Royal Urn taken from the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall
The Royal Urn has started its journey through Bangkok to the Royal Crematorium, after being taken from the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
The Urn represents the body of the king which is carried separately in a coffin.
REUTERS/GETTY
Thai King funeral live: Thousands of mourners have lined the streets of Bangkok
9.50am: Thai King’s son leads funeral rituals
The new King Maha Vajiralongkorn is presiding over the mourning ceremony after arriving at the Grand Palace yesterday.
8.30am: Thai mourners brave the rain to pay their respects
Huge crowds of mourners weathered torrential rain in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Thai King’s funeral precession.
A sea of black umbrellas covered the streets of Bangkok but locals were more than happy to put up with the monsoon rain.
Chalermporn Paebutr, 72, from northern Thailand, told Reuters: “I traveled here two days ago so that I could be the first to get a good spot.
“We only have to brave the rain for a few days. This is worth it if we can be near him one last time.”
Thousands camped overnight in rain, with some mourners seen clasping photographs of the King in their sleep.
REUTERS
Thai King funeral live: The Thai King’s son is leading the ceremonies
Wednesday October 25
3pm: New Thai King arrives at his father’s funeral
Dressed in military-style red uniform with his two daughter and son, he led religious chanting as his father’s urn was placed on a gilded gold chariot and marched through Bangkok.
Officials in charge of the ceremony said around 110,000 members of the public had gathered near the cremation area, with another 200,000 in piling into the historic city centre.
10am: Businesses closed ahead of Thai King’s funeral
Many businesses in Thailand have closed to allow workers to mourn the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Bangkok’s old town has been draped in yellow marigolds.
The late King, who was crowned King Rama IX, was born on a Monday, a day that is associated with the colour yellow in Thailand.
Piyamat Potsopho, 38, told Reuters she had been waiting for the king’s funeral procession in Bangkok since Wednesday night.
“I was very fortunate to have been born under the reign of King Rama IX,” she gushed.