Time to head home

Mourners, who made the long trip to Bangkok in recent days to pay their final respects for their beloved King Rama 9, are now starting to head home cramming bus stations, airports and roadways out of the capital.

Despite the government providing opportunities for mourners to pay their final respects at replica crematoriums around the country (85 were constructed for the purpose) many still chose to head to the capital be witness of the grand Royal funeral services and processions.

Mourners were in a single chorus saying they were happy to have attended the event which was a once in lifetime historic occasion.

Officials say that the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground was packed with about 110,000 mourners with tens of thousands remaining in the immediate vicinity, trying to get the best vantage points to watch one of the large LED screens erected for the purpose or catch a glimpse as one of the official processions passed by.

The city’s Transport Company managing director Jirasak Yaowatchasakul says he expected over 120,000 people will return homes by buses today. This is well above any normal weekend when 80,000-90,000 might flee the city, according to Thai PBS.

Meanwhile, Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has formerly thanked the Thai people throughout the world for their outpouring of respect and loyalty for HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of the Royal Cremation ceremonies on Thursday.

He has also thanked all the foreign dignitaries that attended the events on behalf of so many countries around the world and the many others that sent messages expressing their condolences and good wishes to Thailand during the time of national grief.

“The historic pictures of October 26 when Thai people across the country and abroad as well as the government and private sectors, the people’s sector and volunteers demonstrated their love and unity, their patience and determination in paying tribute to the late King Rama IX will be forever remembered,” said the PM on Thai PBS.

He went on to say that the late King’s responsibilities to his subjects throughout his 70 year reign have now been fulfilled. Pm Prayut is urging the Thai people to “change their sorrow into strength to perform their duties, to give moral support to one another and to advance the country toward prosperity as wished by the late King”.

PHOTOS: The Nation

SOURCES: Thai PBS