Royal bathing ceremony followed by procession (Updated)

A large number of people gathered to attend Friday's symbolic royal bathing of King Bhumibhol, which was open to the general public until 2pm. The procession to move King Bhumibholโ€s body from Siriraj Hospital followed, arriving at the Grand Palace at 5pm.

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16:35 update:

The procession has begun. (17:00) The procession has arrived at the Grand Palace..

Here are more details from our online reporters:

The procession of His Majesty the King's body left Siriraj Hospital about 4.30pm, with mourners from all walks of life lining the route where the motorcade passed.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn led the ceremony to move the body of His Majesty from the hospital to the Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace.

The motorcade passed mourners along the 4-kilometre route, with ten of thousands of people sitting and many crying and making a wai as the vehicle carrying his body went passed them.

The procession arrived at the Grand Palace at about 5pm.

Hundreds of people in pink had stayed at Siriraj Hospital since Tuesday, praying for the good health of His Majesty after the Royal Household Bureau announced on Sunday that his condition had not stabilised.

Many more flocked to the hospital on Thursday night when the bureau announced that the King had passed away, and they stayed there at Siriraj and along all roads to farewell His Majesty on his journey to the Grand Palace for formal bathing rites.

15:00

Bathing ceremony hours extended

Mourners formed a long queue to attend Friday's symbolic royal bathing ceremony of the late King Bhumibol, and the time it remained open to the public was extended until 2pm, as crowds jammed footpaths along the processional route to the Grand Palace.

Initially open until noon, it was later announced the public would be allowed admittance until 2pm.

Friday was declared a public holiday to allow as many people as possible to attend the ceremony, and other mourning activities.

Mourners in black thronged Siriraj intersection and nearby roads on Friday morning, crowding footpaths along the route as they waited to pay  respect to their greatly beloved late King.

Mourners attend royal bathing ceremony

Online reporters

A large number of people gathered to attend Friday's symbolic royal bathing of King Bhumibhol, which is open to the general public until noon.

The Royal Household Bureau announced the bathing and said the public were welcome to attend the symbolic ceremony in front of the late king’s image at the Sala Sahathai Samakhom pavilion inside the Grand Palace.

Friday was declared a public holiday by the government to allow as many people as possible to attend the ceremony, and other mourning activities.

The procession to move King Bhumibhol’s body from Siriraj Hospital will begin Friday at 1pm. The procession will leave from Gate 8 of the hospital.

From there, it will turn right and cross Arun Amarin Bridge. After that it will cross Phra Pinklao Bridge. The procession will move along Ratchadamnoen Road to the Grand Palace, entering by the Thevapirom Gate.

The public are welcome to watch the procession from any vantage point along the route but they must wear only plain black clothes.

However, a later and separate schedule made available Friday morning showed that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will lead the procession at 3pm.

He will perform the royal bathing at 5pm.

The cabinet also sought cooperation from the public in suspending entertainment activities for one month.

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