Poor mourners fear dress code may bar them from paying tribute to King

Thousands of poor people have made long journeys to Bangkok from different parts of the country in the hope of bidding a final farewell to their beloved King.
But they are afraid that the strict dress code being imposed may prevent them from entering the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, where the King’s body and the Royal Urn are placed. The hall is open to the public from today.
Under palace guidelines, mourners will only be allowed to enter the hall in proper dress: a black sleeved shirt and trousers for men (no jeans); a black blouse and skirt for women; and black shoes.
Chanpin Sirikul, 70, from Bangkok, said: “I have to get back to prepare proper clothes. I do not have a black long skirt and shirt with sleeves. I can’t afford them now but I hope to get that dress around December. Otherwise, the authorities will not allow me to enter the Grand Palace.”
Some people believed they had to dress formally as they had heard that many mourners were barred from the compound because they wore inappropriate clothes.
Shoes seemed to be the most |common problem with many underprivileged people wearing sandals allegedly refused entry after waiting for hours in queues.
This issue has become a problem as the clothing guidelines imposed by the Bureau of Royal Household (BRH) may particularly affect poor people who can’t afford black shoes.
The guidelines are also expected to be more strictly enforced from today, when people are being allowed to enter the Throne Hall to prostrate themselves before the King’s body lying in a coffin in front of the Royal Urn. Previously, the public could only enter Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion in the complex to sign the condolence book before the King’s portrait.
Chanpin, who had come to Sanam Luang, the field beside the Grand Palace, for three days in a row, said she borrowed shoes from her neighbour to save her money. “Regardless of my economic incapacity, I need to find ways,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Though some said they could not afford the proper clothes and shoes, or were “unable” to wear shoes, they were willing to come and stay outside the palace in an effort to get as close as pos?sible to their revered King.
“I’m fulfilled. Just to see the Grand Palace from outside and feel the King’s legacy, it’s worth it,” said Than Kokkongseng. The 64-year-old, who is unable to wear shoes because of a foot problem, made a 12-hour journey with relatives by train from Songkhla.
With her planned three-day stay at Sanam Luang, Than brought only two dresses. Neither were in line with the royal guideline, she said.
“It is a pity for me if I can’t get inside with this condition. Tomorrow [today] afternoon, we will leave for Songkhla and it is fine for me if I do not have a chance to get inside.”
Suvarat Varintoravet, 57, from Nakhon Si Thammarat province in the South, said he hoped he could enter the Grand Palace thanks to benevolence of a good Samaritan who provided black shoes for the people in need for free.
Some corporates and celebrities have flocked to Sanam Luang since Thursday to give out black shoes and sneakers to the poor following news of this concern.
The kindness of Suvarat’s good Samaritan gives him a once-in-lifetime chance before the King’s body.
In response to the mounting concern, Major General Pongsawat Panchit, deputy commander of the First Region Army, which is tasked with security in the area, yesterday said the BRH would be flexible and judge the appropriateness of costumes case by case.
Pongsawat said he believed palace authorities responsible for screening people before entering the Grand Palace were willing to welcome all mourners.
He said authorities would understand the different economic status of each person and would not stop people from upcountry from paying respect to the King.
He urged people to dress properly according to their individual |economic capacity and adhere to the “sufficiency economy”, the philosophy that the late King recommended for Thais and people everywhere.