Tens of thousands gather at Bangkok's Grand Palace to mourn king

Mourners line up to get into the Throne Hall at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Credit: Reuters

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered at Bangkok's Grand Palace where the body of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej lies in state.

About 80,000 mourners arrived at the palace on Saturday morning. Authorities have said 10,000 mourners will be allowed to enter the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall each day to pay their respects to the world's longest-reigning monarch who died aged 88 on 13 October.

"I'm prepared now to go in and pay my respects to our late king because this will be the last time for us to express our sorrow," said mourner Waewwan Iimsud, 42.

Official mourning for the king, formally known as Rama IX, will last a year.

Many Thais are wearing black in respect.

The much loved monarch reigned for seven decades and was a unifying figure across the country.

The king's successor, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, has delayed his ascension to the throne to give him time to mourn his father.

Since taking power in a May 2014 coup, the military government has cracked down on perceived royal critics.

Criticism of the king, queen, heir or regent is a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison for each offence.