Thousands already camped out to get good spot to watch royal cremation (PHOTOS)

Mourners camped out along Assadang Road. Photos:  Kowit Boondham/ Thai PBS Twitter
Mourners camped out along Assadang Road. Photos: Kowit Boondham/ Thai PBS Twitter

Hordes of people are already camped out in Old Town near Sanam Luang two full days before the royal cremation on Thursday. Friends and families have set up makeshift camps there in an attempt to secure good spots in the prime viewing locations for watching the late king’s cremation when the grounds officially open tomorrow.

So many people are expected that officials have, on the advice of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, created more viewing zones for the proceedings by opening areas that were meant to be closed to the general public, reported The Nation.

The newly opened viewing areas run along three sides of the Grand Palace and are 9,420 additional square meters that can hold approximately 18,840 more mourners. The total number of mourners that can be accommodated in the prime viewing area is about 60,000 — and more than that may already be camped out near the entry point with plans to rush in and secure a spot when the grounds open at 5am tomorrow.

Though the actual cremation is Thursday, various official rites will happen from tomorrow through Sunday. Tonight at 10pm, the Sanam Luang ceremonial grounds will be cleared, and all non-official people will need to wait outside the cordoned-off areas until the next morning.

Mourner Petcharat Chankrajang, 48, was one of those camped out and had been just outside Sanam Luang since Sunday morning. But she said that she was not even one of the first. Dozens of people were already camped out when she arrived and she did not expect to get one of the most coveted spots. She explained that people had floor mats spread out to show their spot in line. Her “spot” in the line was about 5 meters from the front.

The people in the better positions on line had arrived on Saturday to try and get the best view for paying their final respects to their beloved former king.

Officials in the area were not stopping people from queuing up or camping out, but instead trying to stop quarrels and ensure everyone’s safety.

 



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