Grand Palace mourner checkpoints now open round the clock
Two locations where mourners are screened before entering the Grand Palace to pay respects before the Royal Urn are to remain open round the clock through October 5.
The Royal Household Bureau’s earlier announcement that Saturday (September 30) would be the final day for citizens to view the urn of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej sent the number of people queuing skyrocketing in the past week, to 60,000-70,000 per day.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has responded by extending the lying-in-state period to October 5, giving mourners from across the country more time to pay homage.
The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order around the Grand Palace on Thursday said the operating hours for two visitor screening points – at the Rattankosin Hotel and the Territorial Defence Command Circle – would be extended to 24 hours a day.
The Grand Palace and adjacent Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be closed to all visitors from October 1 - 29 amid preparations for the royal funeral.