bangkok thailand wednesday mark start lavish five-day funeral king bhumibol adulyadej buddhist religious ceremony attend senior members royal family king bhumibol die last year age 88 cremate thursday royal pyre within cremation complex gold pavilions front bangkok grand palace ceremony expect draw 250,000 mourners thailand observe year mourn king bhumibol regard pillar stability reign seven decades witness political upheaval rapid development southeast asian nation overwhelm say one mourner aporn wongdee 60 hail southern province nakhon si thammarat two days already want see father heaven sum 90 million set aside funeral like never see thailand officials involve funeral preparations say king maha vajiralongkorn know rama inherit throne december father death arrive grand palace car wednesday soldier dress red uniform black hat stand attention flank two daughters live television image inside palace show king light candle front father coffin symbolic royal urn buddhist funeral ceremony mix hindu rituals attend 119 buddhist monks chant prayers ancient pali language queue black-clad mourners many carry portraits king snake around part bangkok old town wait enter cremation area mid-afternoon 25,000 mourners gather around cremation site city police say expect emotionally-charged morning king bhumibol body move thursday grand palace crematorium public square front thousands people already pitch tent ensure place thursday three processions make way palace cremation site series specially-erected thai pavilions take nearly year build thais fold flower sandalwood paper use cremation belief fragrance guide soul depart heaven cremation day declare national holiday bank close major shop center shut p.m. thailand kick sumptuous funeral king bhumibol adulyadej