Some visitors have made off with bits of the royal crematorium of King Rama IX at Sanam Luang to keep as mementos and the government is determined to put an end to this.
Stricter rules are now being imposed on visitors, and their access to the royal crematorium is being limited, army chief Chalermchai Sittisad said on Friday.
"We need public cooperation. Initially some visitors felt they wanted souvenirs in accordance with their beliefs. That caused damage to some parts," said Gen Chalermchai, who is in charge of keeping order in the vicinity of the Grand Palace.
After the royal cremation on Oct 26, the government opened the beautifully built royal crematorium, and its associated exhibition, to the public, from Nov 2 to 30.
Initially visitors were allowed to enter the crematorium and go up to the second floor. Unfortunately, some of them stole bits of it as keepsakes, and the damage prompted the government to keep visitors outside the crematorium.
"Initially the royal crematorium was opened through to the second floor because the problem was unexpected," Gen Chalermchai said.
"I must admit that people have different thoughts, beliefs and attitudes," he said. About 29,000 people visited the royal crematorium on Nov 2, Thursday.
Stricter regulations were solving the problem. Officials from the various agencies were now telling visitors what they could and could not do, the army chief said.
He also gave an assurance that no VIPs would be allowed to jump queues ahead of visitors at the crematorium. All visitors must wait their turn in orderly queues.
