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The Latest: Thais grieve for late king as a beloved father 

 

BANGKOK (AP) — The Latest on the mourning for Thailand's King Bhumibol (all times local):

 

8:30 p.m. [Friday]

 

Thais are grieving for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a beloved father.

 

Thousands lined the streets Friday to watch the royal convoy carrying the king's body travel to the Grand Palace complex. People began arriving on the procession route not long after the king's death was announced Thursday.

 

Bhumibol reigned for 70 years and most Thais have known no other monarch in their lifetimes.

 

Mourner Nantiya Thaiboonrueng, 52, said: "I feel like it was a good chance for me to see him for the final time. I won't ever forget this, I feel like all Thais would feel the same way as me. The King was like a father, it feels like my father has passed away. I can't really explain it. But it is from my heart. Nonetheless, I had to be here to send him off."

 

Kijima Mualim, 20, said, "I am happy that I was born in a generation of his rule. I love the King."

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7:15 p.m.

 

Thailand's crown prince has presided over the bathing of his father's body, a traditional Buddhist funeral rite.

 

The body of King Bhumibol Adulyadej will lie at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew, inside the Grand Palace complex for people to pay their respects.

 

Crowds of Thais, most wearing black clothes and many openly sobbing, lined the roads traveled by the funeral procession Friday. Those who could not reach the palace complex in Bangkok's historic district watched the somber event on television.

 

The king died Thursday at age 88 after years of ill health.

 

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7 p.m.

 

The head of the largest bloc of Muslim countries has expressed "heartfelt condolences" at the passing of Thailand's king.

 

Iyad Ameen Madani, head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said in a statement Friday that "the world had lost a great leader" and Thailand had lost a symbol of unity.

 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej died Thursday at 88 after years of ill health.

 

Thailand is an observer state in the 57-nation OIC. Buddhism is the nation's main religion, but its three southernmost provinces are majority Muslim.

 

 
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-- © Associated Press 2016-10-15
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