What mourners said

Nuanphan Rattanasongkhram, 61, a farmer from Roi Et
From the time I heard the news that the authorities will open the Grand Palace for people to pay their respects to the King, my family and I rushed to Bangkok, hoping to be among the first in the queue to enter the palace.
We drove all night from our home and reached Sanam Luang at 5am. Unfortunately, we arrived too late and the officers told us to come back tomorrow, I still hope we can enter the palace and pay our respects before the Royal Urn another day.

Pranom Cheabthong, 58, a tailor from Ubon Ratchathani
I am very glad to get the chance to visit the Grand Palace and pay my respects in front of the Royal Urn today. It was my effort to honour and celebrate the life of HM the King. 
I slept at Sanam Luang last night to be the first to enter the Grand Palace. I am doing this because I love the Royal Family and the King very much. I am not tired; in fact it is my pleasure to have an invaluable opportunity like this.

Wassaana Thongsuk, 27, teacher from Chumpon
I graduated from Rajaprajanugroh School with royal support and received a scholarship from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn until I finished my bachelor’s degree. So, I’m very grateful to the King and the Royal Family for supporting my education. 
I have always wanted to pay my respects to HM the King at least once in my lifetime and this is my last chance to visit His Majesty from so close. I am very glad that I could make it today.

Churee Wisarn, 73, from Samut Prakan
I am very keen to pay homage before the Royal Urn. I have frequently visited the palace to take part in the King’s funeral from the time the ceremony began. But today is different from other days, as there are a lot more people trying to enter the Grand Palace.
This will be the moment of my life, so I’ll wait to see the Royal Urn with my own eyes.

Aim Chato, 29, a business owner from Bangkok
I am very sad about his departure. I love my King so much. Therefore, I decided to express my loyalty to him and went to the Grand Palace today. It was sad but a precious moment of my life to have the opportunity to pay my respects before the Royal Urn. 
I have waited to enter the Throne Hall for more than nine hours. The queue was very long and uncomfortable, but when I saw the Royal Urn, all I felt was bliss.

Arun Charoentoon, 52, a civil servant from Nakhon Ratchasima
I feel lucky to have a chance to pray in front of the Royal Urn. I feel blessed. I’ve never met the King in person, but I know that he has done a lot of good work for all Thai people. I am so sad that he has passed away and I prayed for him to live in heavenly peace.

Khing Chandahua-dong, 63, a maid from Nakhon Ratchasima
I don’t know how to express my feelings after paying respects before the Royal Urn. I cried when I heard the news about his death and today I’m crying again. I am glad that I had the opportunity to pay homage to the King inside the Throne Hall but I’m very sad that he has truly gone.

Nittaya Sukaree, 52, a Thai Muslim
I am so grateful for what he has done for the Thai people, including Thai Muslims. Though he was Buddhist, he treated as equal people of other religions. He has always been kind to us all regardless of our race or religion.

John Walker, 63, a British tourist
I’ve been to Thailand several times. This time I heard the news that the King had passed away. So I want to come and pay my respects because I think he was great. He was the unifying figure that brought the Thai people together and through difficult times. He was just great.

Detchana Saisan, 10, a fourth grader
I am from Khon Kaen. I’m here with my mum for the second day to pay homage to the King. I signed the condolence book but haven’t yet got inside to prostrate before the Royal Urn. But I will do so today.

Pannisa Polsang and Chatchanant Noppibool, 13, middle-schoolers
We personally didn’t witness the King’s work as we grew up. But we heard a lot of stories from our grandparents. And we are just forever grateful for his dedication to the country and the people. We just love him.

Pramote Ingkavanit, 63, retiree
I only have short-sleeve shirts. So, I bought a new and better and more proper one so that I can come here. It’s okay. We all should do something for the King to pay back for what has done for us. We must always be thankful to have had such a dedicated King who cared so much about us.