Airport shuttle buses smooth the way for mourners

Suthirawat Suwannawat, general manager of Don Mueng International Airport, at Airports of Thailand (AOT), said the transport services would help those wishing to participate in the ceremonies for the Royal Cremation of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The AOT is contributing 14 shuttle buses and 11 vans, with 10 buses each from the Tourism and Hotel Association and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority.
Preparations for the services began a month ago, the authority said. The services will run from Don Mueng airport to Nang Loeng Racecourse and Thupatemi Stadium, on separate routes. 
For the Nang Loeng Racecourse route, people can get on at Don Mueng International Airport Terminal 2 on the third floor, at door exit No 15. Services began yesterday. Today, the service runs from 8am to 12pm.
For the second route – to Thupatemi Statium – the AOT is cooperating with the Royal Thai Air Force on the service, which is for today only, at the same times.
Thupatemi Statium is a location for one of the replicas of the Royal Crematorium made available across the country.
 At the replicas, people will be able to make offerings of sandalwood flowers to the beloved monarch. 
Suthirawat said that the transport services from Don Mueng to the two destinations were aimed at helping around 20,000 people participate in the Royal Cremation ceremonies for the late King for yesterday and today.
 While some of the shuttle buses will depart every hour, those provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will depart as often as every 20 minutes from the same stop at Terminal 2.
 The AOT is also providing free parking for 1,000 cars its car park from during October 25-31.
Napaporn Chiakunkeal, 48, of Chiang Mai province, said she had booked in April for her flight to Bangkok yesterday to ensure she could join in the Royal Cremation ceremonies at Sanam Luang.
She describes the occasion as a once in a lifetime event that she will cherish in remembrance of the late King.