Crowds line Sunday procession route hours in advance
Crowds of loyal citizens wearing yellow were again massing around the old precincts of Bangkok on Sunday morning, keen to have good views of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s seven-kilometre Royal Land Procession in the afternoon.
Yellow is the colour associated with Monday, the day of the King’s birth.
The procession will begin at the Grand Palace around 4.30pm and include stops at Wat Bovoranives, Wat Rajabopidh and Wat Phra Chetuphon.
At each temple, the King will pay respects to the principal Buddha statues and the cremated remains of previous Kings and Queens, while at the same time giving the public a chance to greet the new monarch.
At Wat Bovoranives, the King will dismount from the royal palanquin on which he is carried to pay homage to the temple’s main Buddha image and the ashes of Kings Rama VI and Rama IX, his father.
People began assembling in front of the temples as early as Saturday evening.
“I’m honoured to be part of history, witnessing King Rama X’s coronation. I was crying because I was so proud,” said Bangkok resident Jureewan Leemawararat.
Thanya Saowapak, who travelled from Chaiyaphum province days ago to witness the historic event, was among the people lining Atsadang Road and Bamrung Mueang, where the procession will stop at Wat Rajabopidh, near the Giant Swing.
“It’s the first time I’ve witnessed a coronation ceremony,” she said. “The King will make the nation united and peaceful again.”
His Majesty’s final stop will be at Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) before returning to the Grand Palace around 10pm.
