Black-clad mourners from all walks of life began streaming into the Grand Palace early Saturday to pay their respects before the body of King Bhumibol in the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
Crowds were also pouring into the capital from provinces around the country as the public was granted its first chance to enter the throne hall where the body of the late King is lying in state.
For the previous two weeks, the public had been allowed to pay their respects before a portrait of their beloved monarch, who passed away on Oct 13.
At Sanam Luang, people formed long queues at Gate 8 opposite the old Supreme Court building on Rajadamnoen Nai Avenue to obtain queue cards from the 200 cadet students from all armed forces deployed to take care of mourners.
"I have been waiting here since 1am," said Saman Daoruang, an 84-year-old sitting in a massive queue that snaked around the large field outside the palace.
Like many in the crowd, Mr Saman had slept under a tent on the grassy grounds after arriving in Bangkok by train from Nakhon Sawan province.
"But I haven't been able to sleep because I was so thrilled and proud to come here," he told AFP, clutching several portraits of the monarch.
The Royal Household Bureau will allow 10,000 mourners to enter the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall each day from 8am to 9pm.
As so many people kept coming to Sanam Luang on Saturday, and many had camped out overnight, the Bureau allowed mourners to enter the throne hall starting from 5am.
Crowds of mourners pack Sanam Luang on Saturday, turning the area into a sea of black. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)
In Pathum Thani, people dressed in black formed queues to take free public buses in front of the Rangsit municipality office.
Provincial authorities have arranged free buses from 6am to 7pm every day. Meals and beverages were provided for free for mourners at the departure spot. Shelters, bathrooms and parking areas were also arranged.
Pathum Thani governor Surachai Khan-arasa said people began arriving at the venue on Friday night.
Officials have also arranged accommodation and parking areas for mourners who travelled from other provinces to take buses in Pathum Thani. More buses would be deployed, he added.
People queue to board a free bus in Pathum Thani to Sanam Luang on Saturday. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)
In Nakhon Ratchasima, mourners thronged the second bus terminal early Saturday morning to buy tickets for interprovincial buses to Bangkok. Transport is free for those who register to go to the Grand Palace.
Prasanti Khaoplod, head of the terminal, said the state-run Transport Co had prepared 17 air-conditioned buses for mourners who wish to travel to the capital this coming Wednesday. The buses will be parked in front of the provincial hall to offer free rides from 4am.
There will be six free bus trips in all to the Grand Palace, with the second one scheduled for Nov 6, said Mr Prasanti. Authorities will later notify people about the dates for the other trips.
In Ratchaburi, provincial police and Police Region 7 are jointly providing shuttle van services free of charge until Nov 29.
Thanet Thanaiwanyakul, a resident of Ratchaburi, said he was delighted to hear of the news, and immediately telephoned the 191 call centre to book a seat.
Jurairat Janya, 25, a resident of Noen Maphrang district in Phitsanulok, said she phoned to book a police van seat on Friday. She said she was glad to have an opportunity to pay her respects to her beloved King.
Pol Lt Col Chinnaphat Jiam-on, a traffic inspector at the Muang district police station in Ratchaburi, said vans would depart at 8am and return to Ratchaburi at 5pm.
People wanting to take the free services can phone the 191 police centre around the clock. Two vans with two police officers are being arranged each day.
Mourners buy tickets at the second bus terminal in Nakhon Ratchasima to travel to Bangkok. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)
Provincial Police Region 7 officers have arranged free vans to take mourners to the Grand Palace from Ratchaburi for the next month. (Photo by Saichon Srinuanjan)
