His Majesty the King has requested measures be taken to ensure the public is safe and well cared for during the royal cremation ceremony for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej tomorrow.
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King urges more care for mourners
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His Majesty the King has requested measures be taken to ensure the public is safe and well cared for during the royal cremation ceremony for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej tomorrow, taking into account weather conditions and other factors.
"We are considering laying rubber mats or mattresses on the ground to reduce the heat," Army chief Chalermchai Sittisad said Tuesday.
Crowds have been building around the royal cremation site at Sanam Luang in Bangkok's old quarter for days now as people began securing spots this week for an event that has been a year in the making.
The government has planned an elaborate farewell ceremony for the nation's revered monarch who reigned for 70 years and 126 days.
The ceremonies run from today until Sunday with the cremation due to take place tomorrow at 10pm.
The King has instructed the authorities to treat mourners with consideration, kindness and understanding, Gen Chalermchai said.
"His Majesty the King is concerned about the people. He instructed officials to treat them nicely, not to scold them and not to be too strict," he said.
Rehearsals for the royal funeral processions on Friday and Saturday made the King realise extra care must be taken as the slow pace of proceedings could prove taxing for spectators, particularly the elderly, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd noted.
As such, umbrellas and hats will be permitted before the processions pass the area where the viewers are seated, he said.
They will be instructed to sit, be respectful and observe previously mapped out etiquette when the processions approach, he added.
Many people have already reserved pavement space in the vicinity of the royal cremation site at Sanam Luang and have been camping there since Monday.
Raincoats were in abundance due to the heavy rain.
Roads around Sanam Luang, especially near the Rattanakosin Hotel, also known as Royal Hotel, Klong Lot canal and Chang Rong Si Bridge were proving popular spots as mourners waited for security checkpoints to open at 5am today to get as close as possible to the event.
Some turned up with plastic sheeting, food, cough syrup and drinking water. In a spirit of giving, local householders let them use their shower rooms and toilets.
But as the crowds flocked to the viewing areas, some chaotic scenes unfolded.
"My family spent months planning our visit here," said Prasit Suwannajirat, a 59-year-old merchant from Rayong.
He said he had been first in line to enter the screening checkpoint near the Rattanakosin Hotel before he was squeezed out by queue-jumpers.
Volunteers were seen frantically trying to calm people down Tuesday as once-orderly lines became swollen and manners were forgotten. "Because there are so fewer authorities than citizens, it is becoming increasingly difficult to take care of people," said Thanamet Patchimapihong.
More police officers, volunteers and city officials were drafted in to maintain order this week as the number of people waiting grew in number.
You can read the full story here: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1348350/king-urges-more-care-for-mourners
The POSTGraphics infographic below lists the main foreign dignitaries who will attend Thursday's cremation.
