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A national period of mourning has been called following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
'Nightmare. My holiday is ruined’: Western tourists complain that death of Thai king has spoilt their holidays as all nightlife is shut down for a month and full moon parties cancelled
King Bhumibol Adulyadej died from illness on Thursday, aged 88
Thai government has announced a one year mourning period
Australians in Thailand should expect disruptions to daily life
Western Tourists also warned to 'respect the feelings' of locals at this time
Thai government will restrict access to entertainment and tourism venues
British singer Morrissey's concert in Bangkok has been cancelled
King Adulyadej was the world's longest-reigning monarch
By PADDY DINHAM FOR MAILONLINE
14 October 2016
Western tourists have complained their holiday plans to Thailand were being disrupted by the King's death after nightlife was banned for one month.
October is the beginning of the country's high season with up to three million tourists arriving in a single month - many headed to the bars and notorious red light districts.
But the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the age of 88 sparked a national period of mourning with foreigners urged to swap their bikinis and shorts for 'muted, subdued clothing' to avoid offending locals.
The world's longest serving monarch, 88, died on Thursday at Siriraj Hospital from illness
A van carries the body of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's to his palace in Bangkok today after his death
Pictures from the capital's normally bustling Khao San Road show groups of backpackers forced to sit in silence while black and white film tributes to the monarch are played on TV.
Bangkok's infamous red light districts are deserted as strip bars and brothels were ordered to close indefinitely - with many fearing alcohol sales could be banned for up to 30 days.
Even satellite TV stations including the BBC were pulled off air while the state broadcaster churned out historical footage and documentaries on the King.
And the notorious full-moon party attended every month by thousands of youngsters was scrapped.
Buddhist funeral ceremonies began Friday in Bangkok's Grand Palace complex for King Bhumibol Adulyadej before his body is displayed for people to pay respects to the monarch revered by many Thais as their father and a demigod.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, dressed in white military finery and a black armband, sat near orange-robed monks as they chanted in the high-ceilinged Phiman Rattaya palace.
All nightlife, including full moon parties (revellers are pictured here on Haad Rin Beach) will not go ahead during the mourning period
Government, military, and community leaders wait for the beginning of a ceremony at Wat Phra Singh
High-ranking figures within the country all turned out to pay their respects to the fallen king
A Thai well wisher mourns prior to the arrival of a procession to move body of the late Thai King
A one-year mourning period for the government has been declared together with a 30-day moratorium on state and official events.
Liam Pearce, 23, a steel erector and welder from Wrexham, North Wales, is due to fly to Thailand next Thursday for two weeks and said he was 'really disappointed'.
He said: 'It's a bit of a nightmare. I'm really disappointed.
'It's basically my whole holiday ruined. It couldn't have happened at a worse time.
'I'm worried as well as there could be problems with the army and protests.
'I've already booked the flights, paid for hotels and changed money so there's no chance of changing it.
'I was really looking forward taking in the bars and night life and going to the full moon party but won't be able to do that now.
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej receives a small plant from a Thai woman in 1981 as he makes a visit to one of his crop substitution projects in Northern Thailand
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, right, speaks with U.S. President George W. Bush, left, at the State Dinner at the Grand Palace in Bangkok in 2003
