Black-clad mourners in Norfolk have been paying their respects to former Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Eastern Daily Press: ThaiTemple, WAT ARUN, Weston Longville, marking the Funeral in Bangkok of the late King of Thailand. Picture: ALARM MEDIAThaiTemple, WAT ARUN, Weston Longville, marking the Funeral in Bangkok of the late King of Thailand. Picture: ALARM MEDIA (Image: Archant)

As around 250,000 people lined the streets of Thailand's capital for processions to bid farewell to the monarch, the Thai community at the Wat Arun temple in Weston Longville followed suit.

The funeral for the monarch who was adored as a unifying symbol throughout his seven-decade reign was held yesterday with a Buddhist merit-making ceremony in the throne room of the Dusit palace.

Bhumibol, who was the world's longest reigning monarch, died aged 88 on October 13 last year, sparking a national outpouring of grief and a year of official mourning.

Thais are known for their reverence of Bhumibol, which palace officials assiduously cultivated over his 70-year reign, and the funeral was an intensely sombre event.

Eastern Daily Press: ThaiTemple, WAT ARUN, Weston Longville, marking the Funeral in Bangkok of the late King of Thailand. Picture: ALARM MEDIAThaiTemple, WAT ARUN, Weston Longville, marking the Funeral in Bangkok of the late King of Thailand. Picture: ALARM MEDIA (Image: Archant)

The influence and status of Thailand's monarchy was revived during his reign and he earned genuine affection for high-profile visits to remote parts of the countryside and efforts to improve the lot of the country's poorest.