Tens of thousands of Thais have streamed into Bangkok’s Grand Palace as the public was granted its first chance to enter the throne hall and see the body of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej lying in state. Saturday marked the first time the public had been allowed to enter the decorated throne hall where his body lay in a coffin behind a gilded urn. “I have been waiting here since 1am,” said Saman Daoruang, an 84-year-old sitting in a thousands-long queue that snaked around a large field outside the palace. Authorities said 10,000 mourners would be permitted to enter the throne hall per day, in small batches. The regime has not provided a clear timeline for when the prince will formally ascend the throne.

Source: The Guardian October 29, 2016 02:47 UTC