Thailand grieves in farewell to late king

BANGKOK - With solemn faces and outright tears, millions of black-clad Thais said farewell to their king and longtime father figure on Thursday, capping a year of mourning with funeral ceremonies steeped in centuries of tradition.

The ceremony for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was once the world's longest reigning monarch, began late on Wednesday, just over one year since he died at age 88 on Oct 13, 2016.

Members of foreign royal families and senior officials from dozens of nations, including Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, special envoy of President Xi Jinping, attended the ceremony at Sanam Luang.