Thai Australians have gathered at Buddhist temples across the country to mourn the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Many of the mourners at the Wat Buddharangsee temple in Sydney have spent most of their lives in Australia. But after a 70 year reign, many are struggling to imagine a life without the man they call 'the father of Thailand'.
"The Thai people are still loyal to the King, and always will be," explained the temple's Abbot the Venerable Phra Abhijaya. "Even if he passes away, the loyalty to the King, especially in this community, will live forever."
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As Australia's Thai embassy flew its flags at half-mast, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to the world's longest-serving head of state.
"The King is deeply revered by the people of Thailand and respected around the world," he said. "His passing is a matter of enormous sorrow for the people of Thailand and we share their grief."
Thailand will observe an extended period of mourning for the King, which will see businesses either reduce their hours or close altogether.
In Sydney's Thai district restaurants and grocery stores are still open, but the loss is being felt heavily.
"Everyone is devastated," one customer said. "You can see a lot of Thai people wearing black today to send our love to [the King] and show that this is the worst day of our lives."
"He's widely seen as the father of the nation," one supermarket worker said. "He's really guided the nation from the olden days to modern prosperous Thailand we know today."
Warangkana Lui fought back tears as she hung posters of the King in her supermarket as a tribute.
"Our King is in our heart," she said. "Everyone here is working. They are sad, but we can't stop.
"When your Dad passes away, you can't stop [breathing]. You have to keep standing and walk."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has since urged Australians travelling to Thailand to "act responsibly and respect the feelings of Thais at this difficult time."
They warn travelers "there may be disruption of normal services" as well as "leisure and entertainment venues".
