Working hard in honour of His Majesty

SINCE HIS MAJESTY King Bhumibol Adulyadej departed on October 13, Sanam Luang has been receiving tens of thousands of mourners coming from nearly every corner of the country to pay their final respects. In response to this, a large number of state officials have been working hard to maintain peace and order, as well as facilitate these big crowds.
The 30-acre 12-hectare open area has been more crowded and busy than ever over the past week, filled with the King’s loyal subjects and good Samaritans who have set up camps to provide food, drinks and other essential items for those coming to pay homage. 
The roads too are very busy, with cars and public buses coming from all directions to the area surrounding the Grand Palace, where His Majesty’s body rests.
Things would not be very easy or convenient if it wasn’t for state officers from different agencies providing services during this hour of grief. 
Pol Lieutenant Virat Pigulsri, deputy traffic inspector of Chana Songkhram Metropolitan Police Station, said thousands of police officers had been deployed to maintain peace and order as a flood of people and vehicles have jammed up the area. 
The 56-year-old traffic cop said he and his colleagues had been working from 5am to 9pm every day since October 13. Despite the blazing sun and hot weather, the police have worked relentlessly to direct the |traffic, ensure all vehicles get through and that people, both young and old, can safely cross the road. 
Virat said that while it has been exhausting, given the longer service hours and intensity of work, most officers are more than happy to |provide such services during this |difficult time. 
“Of course I’m tired. I’m physically very tired. But I am also very happy to work during this tough time,” he said. “This is because I have a purpose. I know I work to serve the people gathering here for the King. We share his sense of loyalty, and this keeps me working despite being tired.” 
Apart from police, also present are soldiers and the Interior Ministry’s Territorial Defence Volunteers (TDV).
TDV officer Thongchai Kulji, 29, said he and his colleagues had been patrolling Sanam Luang, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha from 8am until midnight since Sunday. 
Like Virat, Thongchai said he was happy to provide services for the people. 
“As you can see, there are a lot of people and many are not from Bangkok and are hence unfamiliar with the area. So they need people like us to help them with directions and other things they might need,” he said.
Thongchai, who has to provide directions frequently, added that he was happy to have been assigned this work, even though it requires extra effort. 
“You know, this is very little compared with what the King did for us during his time,” said Thongchai, whose uniform was soaked with sweat. “Hence I must do my best to serve the King for the last time.” 
Massive crowds usually mean massive waste and damage to the grass. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), therefore, is working very hard to keep the area clean. 
Transferring garbage from the footpath to a big trash bag, BMA cleaner Thitima Imampai, 40, said she had to keep an eye on the ground all the time to ensure it was free from litter. 
“Sanam Luang is very busy. [There are] a lot of people and so a lot of garbage, too. We have to sweep the area and pick up litter all the time to ensure tidiness,” she said.
Though the royal cremation ground is not Thitima’s work area, she and several other cleaners have volunteered to do extra work in the area without any extra pay. 
“I’m extending my hand to help, because it is very busy here. I’m not getting paid or anything, but am doing it anyway. I’m doing it for my father,” the cleaner said as she |continued collecting litter. 
BMA gardener Anon Kongsawat, 39, was also chipping in by helping collect garbage. 
Others working hard are bus and van drivers providing free rides to people. Plerngsak Banluesap, 53, said he had been super busy since last week, given the increase in bus |services to meet the rising demand. 
But he was happy to be of help and proud to be part of this historic event. 
“I’m not tired. It’s my job, plus this time it is special because the service I give is for people who feel loyal to the monarchy. I’m very proud and happy to be here,” he said, before resuming his work when a |commuter came to ask him about bus routes.