Thailand’s citizens began the first day in close to a century without King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Friday morning.<br /><br /> Crowds gathered in the streets from the early hours of the morning after a late-night vigil in Bangkok for the world’s longest reigning monarch.<br /><br /> Many regarded the late king as a father-figure who stabilised the country through decades of coups, political turmoil and civil unrest.<br /><br /> People in Thailand mourn their king after the announcement of his death.<br /><br />King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the world’s longest-reigning monarch. pic.twitter.com/0laMVPU6S9— AJ+ (@ajplus) October 13, 2016<br /><br /> Some of those who had gathered outside the hospital where the 88-year-old king died broke down in tears.<br /><br /> Queues began forming this morning at Bangkok’s Grand Palace where people took part in a ritual cleansing process to mourn the monarch.<br /><br /> Thailand’s cabinet declared Friday a government holliday, and flags will fly at half-mast for 30 days.<br /><br /> The government has also asked for people to wear black, and avoid “joyful events” during this period.<br /><br /> In pictures: A nation mourns the passing of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej https://t.co/46cChFG4Ft pic.twitter.com/wy3FzqpLzK— The Straits Times (@STcom) October 13, 2016<br /><br /> Eyebrows raised over successor<br /><br /> The heir apparent, the three-times divorced Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, famed for making his pet poodle an air chief marshal in the Thai military, has asked for privacy in a time of grief.<br /><br /> He said he would not formally take the crown until he has finished mourning.<br /><br /> He has raised eyebrows in the past for his apparent lack of interest in the public duties expected of a Thai monarch.<br /><br /> The future king is not best liked by many of Thailand’s people. <br /><br /> In 2010, a leaked US diplomatic cable showed members of the Thai privy council discussing their concerns about the crown prince.<br />
