The general public will be permitted access to selected areas to observe the second rehearsal today of the procession for the royal funeral of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The rehearsal will be led through more than a dozen city roads and a soi leading to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang.
The crematorium, which combines top-class classical and traditional arts and highlights the many developmental achievements of the late monarch, has been completed after months of construction.
People can witness today's procession rehearsal along the roads opposite the Grand Palace, from Tha Chang to Tha Tien and outside the City Pillar Shrine. They can also observe the event around areas close to Sanam Luang except along Thai Wang Road and in front of Wat Pho.
Nine security screening points will check people entering the observation areas: Saphan Mon intersection, Tha Chang, Thammasat University, Phra Mae Thoranee statue, Kalayana Maitri Road, Saphan Chang Rong See intersection, Wat Phra Chetuphon intersection, Tha Phra Chan and under Phra Pin Klao Bridge.
Spectators need to produce ID cards at screening points and wear appropriate mourning attire.
The inner section of Ratchadamnoen Avenue and roads around Sanam Luang will be closed until the end of the month due to security surveillance and the need to decorate the landscape for the royal cremation.
The final procession rehearsal next Saturday will include a full-scale dress rehearsal in which HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to take part in the morning, according to PM's Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck.
Mr Ormsin, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat and Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr will also take part in the rehearsal.
As the day of the royal cremation draws closer, more roads will be closed. During the royal funeral ceremonies from Oct 25-27, the Marine Department has ordered the closure of water traffic -- from midday to 9pm on Oct 25, from 6am to midnight on Oct 26 and from 8am to 2pm on Oct 27 -- from Memorial Bridge to Taksin Bridge.
Chao Phraya River express boats will commute people free of charge between designated piers from 6am to 2pm on Oct 26.
The Office of the Performing Arts has scheduled traditional and musical performances to accompany the royal cremation on Oct 26. They will be performed before the audience on various stages in the Sanam Luang grounds.
The stage to the north of Sanam Luang is reserved for khon performances based on the episodes of the Ramayana epic, while to the east of the grounds a theatre will be set up for a traditional puppet show and stage play Phra Mahajanaka, an adaptation of King Bhumibol's literary work of the same title.
A stage to the west of the grounds will be for bands performing royally composed songs.
The performances at the north, east and west stages will start at 7pm when the royal cremation concludes. The shows will break at 8pm to make way for the Ramayana khon performances. The shows will resume at midnight.
Replicas of the royal crematorium in 68 of the 76 provinces are now complete. Those in the remaining provinces are expected to be finished by today.
