The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing at Sanam Luang to accommodate more than 10,000 mourners per day who are expected to pay their respects to the late Queen Mother at the Grand Palace after November 9.
At present, mourners can pay tribute before a portrait of the late Queen Mother in the Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion until November 9, after which the venue will move to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace, where the royal remains of the Queen Mother are enshrined.
On Sunday, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected the rest area at Sanam Luang, which is being used to accommodate mourners waiting to enter the Grand Palace.
Currently, around 3,000 mourners visit each day, but that number is expected to rise to more than 10,000 daily after November 9.
The governor said that city officials are prepared to handle up to 20,000 mourners per day, providing various conveniences such as shuttle bus and regular bus services, free volunteer-run motorcycle taxis from screening areas to the palace, food and drinks courtesy of the Palace, wheelchair services for persons with disabilities, first aid stations, and mobile toilets.
Chadchart added that each district office is responsible for garbage collection at Sanam Luang, which currently amounts to about 700 kilograms per day.
For mourners who are not dressed appropriately but wish to enter the Throne Hall to pay their respects, the BMA is offering a clothing-lending service, providing sarongs for women and trousers for men.
