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Thailand has unveiled a plan to tackle a growing problem of rubbish left each day by crowds mourning King Bhumibol Adulyadej around the royal palace.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said volunteers feeding visitors should now use biodegradable food boxes instead of plastic foam ones.

Mourners are also being urged to bring their own food boxes and water bottles.

Some 200,000 people gather in front of the palace in the capital every day, producing about 76 tonnes of waste.

King Bhumibol died on 13 October, after 70 years as head of state.

The 88-year-old king was widely revered and seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups.

Official mourning will last a year.

'Good opportunity'

The new plan was agreed at a meeting between the BMA and other agencies involved in managing crowds outside the royal palace.

The BMA says the garbage left there each day consists of food and general waste, including about five tonnes of foam from the containers. About 40% of the food provided to the public is being wasted.

Volunteer groups are now being requested to use recycling containers made of paper or sugarcane bagasse instead of foam boxes.

The authorities also say that visitors would reduce the amount of waste by further 20% by bringing their own food boxes and drinking bottles.

Water points will be installed in the area for refilling bottles.

The authorities have also provided containers for different types of waste, and are stressing the importance of using them correctly.