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.

A national period of mourning has been called following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The world's longest serving monarch, 88, died on Thursday at Siriraj Hospital from illness

A van carries the body of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's to his palace in Bangkok today after his death

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.

All nightlife, including full moon parties (revellers are pictured here on Haad Rin Beach) will not go ahead during the mourning period

Government, military, and community leaders wait for the beginning of a ceremony at Wat Phra Singh

High-ranking figures within the country all turned out to pay their respects to the fallen king

A Thai well wisher mourns prior to the arrival of a procession to move body of the late Thai King

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.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej receives a small plant from a Thai woman in 1981 as he makes a visit to one of his crop substitution projects in Northern Thailand

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, right, speaks with U.S. President George W. Bush, left, at the State Dinner at the Grand Palace in Bangkok in 2003

'I've been waiting for it all year. My friends are out there already and they said the only places open at night are pharmacies. That's hardly going to be much fun. I bet my exes are loving this.'

Chistopher Constantinou, 45, from Ealing, West London, said: 'I come here two or three times a year for the adult nightlife around Bangkok and Pattaya.

'I wouldn't say my holiday is ruined but I'll certainly have to take stock of the situation. I'm sill going so hopefully there's plenty to keep me entertained. If not I'll make a short detour to the Cambodia or the Philippines for a few nights.'

Meanwhile, many other Brits with holidays planned for the next few days took to Twitter to show their disappointment at how their trips will be affected.

King Adulyadej, second right, and Queen Sirikit survey the rice crop made possible by a Royal Irrigation Project which uses floodwaters to irrigate a second harvest of rice during the dry season in Ayuthaya, 70 kilometers (44 miles) north of Bangkok in 1996

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, right, walks with Queen Sirikit and their 13-year-old son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, through the gardens of their residence at Sunninghill, Berkshire, where they stayed during their private visit to Britain in 1996

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej plays the saxophone in Bangkok

A Thai woman weeps as she holds on to a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a line to offer condolences for the king at Grand Palace in Bangkok

Florence Cook said: 'The country is now going into mourning for a year. This poses serious problems for our holiday/tour'.

@n0chrome added: 'Sorry we can't cancel our tickets... we'll pretend to have fun and joy'.

Chris Tomo said: 'Quite worried about going tomorrow now'.

Others expressed relief that they had avoided booking a holiday.

Ben Stoyles said: 'I almost went on holiday to Thailand today (last minute thing). Glad I decided not to.'

Thai citizens mourn while participating in the royal funeral bathing ceremony after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at the Sahathai Samakom Pavilion

A Thai woman holds on to a portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a line to offer condolences for the king at Grand Palace in Bangkok

Thai people sit in front of Grand Palace, wait for the body of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej to be carried in Bangkok

Calum Matheson added: 'Thank goodness I've not booked anything I was about to book a holiday next week. Can see mega trouble breaking out.'

The passing of the world's longest reigning monarch saw tens of thousands of Thais take to the streets in floods of tears.

Citizens are notoriously protective of their King - with little sympathy for those convicted of breaking the country's strict lese majeste laws.

British holidaymakers and expats were warned to show respect for 'the feelings and sensitivities of the Thai people' after the death.

The Foreign Office urged visitors to 'wear sombre and respectful clothing when in public,' and said 'access to entertainment, including restaurants, bars, and shopping areas may be restricted'.

The country's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha went on TV to urge all sectors in the society to refrain from holding entertainment activities for one month.

The world's longest serving monarch, 88, died on Thursday from illness

People mourn as they offer condolences for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace

Tourists are being urged to 'behave' following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the Thai government cracks down on access to entertainment and tourism venues