What time will the Thai King be cremated?
Hundreds of thousands of Thai mourners gathered in Bangkok today to pay tribute to their beloved King who died aged 88 last October.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be cremated and laid in the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang Park next to Bangkok’s Grand Palace.
The ceremonial urn was pulled through Bangkok from Grand Palace to the crematorium earlier today after his body was transferred to the venue separately in a coffin.
The actual cremation is due to take place at about 10pm local time after a series of religious rites.
How long will the Thai King’s funeral last?
King Bhumibol was greatly revered in Thailand and his five-day funeral is set to run until the Sunday.
Once the King has been cremated, there will be a ceremony for collecting the royal relics and ashes will take place at 8am local time tomorrow.
The ashes will be taken to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall before moved to two temples – Wat Rajabopidh and Wat Bovoranives – on Sunday.
LATEST PICTURES: THAI KING FUNERAL LIVE
King Bhumibol’s son and the new King of Thailand is presiding over the funeral ceremonies throughout the five-day period.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn appeared at the Grand Palace this morning, before leading religious chanting and watching as his father’s urn being lifted on to a gilded golden chariot.
An ocean of black umbrellas lined the streets of Bangkok as royalists stood in the rain to catch a glimpse of the famous carriage.
Mourners could be seen openly weeping as the procession took the extravagant Great Victory Chariot towards the crematorium.
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.”
The king died on October 13, 2016, and was the longest-serving monarch in the world at the time. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is now the longest reigning monarch.
Seen as a father-figure to many, Thais are now being urged through songs to follow in “father’s footsteps”.