Tourists warned NOT to travel to Thailand, As The world's longest serving monarch, 88, died on Thursday from illness

Tourists heading to Thailand are being told to expect disruptions to their normal routine because the country is mourning the death of their king.

 The government is urging foreign tourists to 'behave' or not travel at all following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej - and they are restricting access to entertainment and tourism venues. 

An official one-year mourning period has begun at a time of deep sorrow for Thai people, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday morning.  

 

A Thai woman weeps as she holds on to a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a line to offer condolences for the king at Grand Palace in Bangkok

The world's longest serving monarch, 88, died on Thursday at Siriraj Hospital from illness

 

A Thai well wisher mourns prior to the arrival of a procession to move body of the late Thai King  

'You should abide by local laws and respect Thai customs at this time. Dress and behave appropriately,' DFAT said on its website. 

 The world's longest serving monarch, 88, died on Thursday from illness.

Thais gathered outside Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital where the king had been treated for various ailments for much of the past decade.

 Many sobbed loudly, clutching each other in anguish and shouting 'Long live the king'.

Grieving Thais went to work dressed mostly in black Friday morning, just hours after the palace announced the death of their beloved King Bhumibol, the politically fractious country's unifying figure and the world's longest-reigning monarch.

The Thai government has announced a one-year mourning period and a 30-day moratorium on state events.

Businesses, tourist attractions and public transport were expected to remain open on Friday because of the government's desire not to hurt the sputtering economy. 

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