'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
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.
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.
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.