Thailand all set for royal five-day funeral ceremony for its late King Bhumibol Adulyadej; check out stunning pictures

Thailand is putting the finishing touches this month to a lavish five-day funeral ceremony in a final goodbye to its late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who helped shape the Southeast Asian nation for decades after World War Two. (AP Photo)

Many of the hundreds of thousands of black-clad mourners are expected to camp for days near Bangkok's Grand Palace to capture a good view of the ceremonies, which will be guarded by 78,000 police officers and culminate in the cremation on October 26. (AP Photo)

Well-wishers offer alms to Buddhist monks to mark the first anniversary of late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's death. (Reuters Photo)

The Royal Crematorium site for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. (Reuters Photo)

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who announced plans for a national election next year, told that October is a sad period. And asked that politicians and political parties be peaceful and orderly. (AP Photo)

Artisans have worked for ten months in Bangkok's ancient quarter to build an elaborate cremation site fashioned after a vision of heaven, where Thais believe dead royals return to live above Mount Meru, a golden mountain in Hindu mythology. (AP Photo)

The funeral of King Bhumibol, who died on October 13 last year after seven decades on the throne, is also a time of uncertainty for some Thais, said a Thailand-based analyst, who declined to be identified because of sensitivities around the monarchy. (AP Photo)

Night falls behind the completed royal crematorium and funeral complex for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)

"In many ways the king was Thailand and his death has left a huge vacuum in the Thai psyche," said the analyst, pointing to social and political upheavals in recent decades. (AP Photo)

What happens after his funeral? Where will Thailand head next? These are profound questions that must be answered. (Reuters Photo)

Among the many royal objects restored for the funeral is a golden chariot that will carry the king's body in a giant ornate urn to the cremation site. The Great Victory Royal Chariot is pulled during a funeral rehearsal for late Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. (Reuters Photo)

The urn will move to the Royal Crematorium before the cremation on the night of October 26, which has been declared a national holiday. (AP Photo)

The late king was succeeded by his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X, who has overseen sweeping changes to the royal household, including the running of palace finances. (Reuters Photo)

What the world will see is rivers of tears that show how much Thais love King Bhumibol Adulyadej. (Reuters Photo)

More than 3,000 performers will join in a nightlong final tribute of music and puppet shows to end a year of mourning. (AP Photo)