October 25, 2017 
Draped in plastic sheets to keep off the rain, Thais slept in the streets of Bangkok Wednesday to reserve a place to witness the funeral parade for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled the country for 70 years.
The five-day ceremony for the world’s longest-reigning monarch begins late Wednesday, but crowds are expected to peak Thursday as the king’s body is moved to the Royal Crematorium, a three-tier, 50-meter (165-foot) high golden funeral pyre.
Bhumibol died aged 88 on October 13, 2016. Also known as Rama IX — a reference to his lineage stretching from Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty — the King commanded great love and respect within Thailand.
His funeral will be attended by dignitaries and royal families from 42 countries including US Defense Secretary James Mattis, Britain’s Duke of York Prince Andrew, Japan’s Prince Akishino and royalty from Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Sweden.
A budget of three billion Thai baht ($90 million) has been allocated for the funeral, and Thursday has been declared a public holiday to allow Thais the opportunity to pay their final respects. The nation’s police force — some 230,000 officers — will on duty to contain the crowds.
The former king was immensely popular during his reign, with his portrait being hung, adorned with marigolds, everywhere from Bangkok office lobbies to the poorest of rural homes.
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