bangkok almost 12 million people almost one sixth thailand population visit glitter grand palace bangkok pay respect late king bhumibol adulyadej since die last october palace say thursday thousands line streets bangkok historic area near chao phraya river enter palace thursday last day see late king royal cremation oct. 26. queue stretch two km 1.2 miles officials say many line since wednesday since pm manage pay respect tossapon thongmak 33 bangkok resident rain last night must must pay respect father say king bhumibol die last october age 88 body lay state gold hall palace widely see father figure regard nation moral compass decades on-off political turbulence include several coups bloody street protest region-wide 1997/98 financial crisis succeed december son king maha vajiralongkorn know rama since oversee shake-up palace give great authority royal funeral mix buddhist religious ceremonies hindu brahmin rituals first time many thais experience royal funeral monarch grandeur beauty determination everyone involve preparation new experience tonthong chandransu public relations official funeral organization committee expert thai monarchy tell reuters interview architecture craftsmanship various preparations fine detail never see sort dedication builders work months royal crematorium build scratch green front palace time need order build heaven base imagination belief systems fuse buddhism brahmin hindu traditions important thai society tonthong say palace say expect 250,000 mourners attend royal cremation thailand tourism body ask tourists respect thai sensitivities promise emotionally-charged time thousands queue pay last respect thailand 's late king bhumibol