Forty roads near the Grand Palace in Bangkok will be closed today between 4pm and 9.30pm as a rehearsal procession for His Majesty the King's coronation ceremony takes place.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau said the closures would affect Na Phra Lan, Na Phra That, Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue (from the Phan Phipop intersection to the Pom Padet intersection), Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, Ratchamnoen Nok Avenue (from the Jor Por Ror intersection to the Pan Fa intersection), Sanam Chai, Lak Muang, Phra Chan, Maha Rat and Khao San Road.
The roads will be closed so the procession can pass along the route uninterrupted. Police are also considering opening some sections which will not affect the procession to minimise traffic woes. All closed roads will be reopened to traffic after 9.30pm tonight.
Motorists travelling between the Bangkok and the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River are advised to use alternative routes to their destination during the closure.
Drivers who plan on taking the expressway exit at Yommarat or those who want to travel from Phetchaburi and Rajavithi roads are advised to use the Krung Thon Bridge (Sang Hee) or Rama VIII Bridge. Motorists coming from Rama IV, Rama I and Charoen Krung roads should use the Phra Pok Klao and Memorial Bridges.
Meanwhile, City Hall is gearing up for an influx of more than 150,000 people into the Sanam Luang area during the coronation event.
Visitors are expected to crowd the grounds and surrounding roads near the Grand Palace in order to receive and pay respect to the King who will perform the liap phranakhon ritual during a short trip in the traditional procession in parts of the capital on May 5.
A 21-gun salute will also be carried out at the start of the trip at 4.30 pm.
Up to 200 teams of doctors will be assigned to look after people every 100 metres on the roads, Phonthep Sae-Heng, chief of the city's Erawan medical emergency centre, said yesterday.
"We're concerned over hot weather," he said, recommending people to be ready for overcrowding.
A similar situation is also expected on May 6 when the King will greet people from the balcony of Sutthaisawan Prasat Throne Hall, which is opposite Sanam Chai near Saranrom Park.
City officials will also turn the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre in Din Daeng district into a temporary overnight shelter for 1,000 people travelling from upcountry provinces during May 4 and 6.
