Black-clad crowds filled the area around the Grand Palace on Sunday as thousands gathered to express their loyalty and respect to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the late Queen Mother, during the transfer of her body to the palace grounds.
From early morning, mourners assembled at Sanam Luang, adjacent to the Grand Palace, queuing to offer water for the royal bathing ceremony held at the Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion.
The Bureau of the Royal Household invited members of the public to take part in the ceremony between 8.30am and noon.
The transfer of Her Majesty’s body began at 4pm, starting from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, where the Queen Mother had resided prior to her passing.
The royal procession moved along Henri Dunant, Rama IV, Phaya Thai, Si Ayutthaya, Ratchadamnoen and Na Phra Lan roads before arriving at the Grand Palace.
The 10-kilometre journey, expected to take about 20 minutes, culminated with the placement of Her Majesty’s body at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Many mourners had already gathered near the palace from Saturday to secure a place along the route.
Aksika Kaysornsakul, 56, who travelled from Nonthaburi province and arrived on Saturday evening, said she was determined to pay her final respects to the Queen Mother, who had tirelessly served the nation throughout King Rama IX’s seven-decade reign.
“Her Majesty greatly supported all groups of Thais, especially through her promotion of traditional craftsmanship,” she said.
Mayuree Bandasak, 77, from Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, arrived on Sunday morning and tearfully recalled the Queen Mother’s compassion. “She created employment for countless Thais, without discrimination,” she said.
Thaiyaporn Arammekha, 65, remembered seeing Their Majesties during royal visits since she was 15.
“The Queen Mother would always ask where people came from and whether they had eaten,” she said. “Her kindness and concern improved the quality of life for people across the nation.”
Nikhom Deen-Islam, 49, from Min Buri district, said the Queen Mother’s devotion extended to all Thais, including Muslim communities in the South. “She visited the region many times and encouraged local handicrafts to help people earn a living,” he said.
The Bureau of the Royal Household announced that from Monday, members of the public may pay their respects before the Queen Mother’s portrait and sign condolence books at the Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion between 8.30am and 4pm.
Beginning November 9, the public will be able to pay respects to Her Majesty at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall between 9am and 9pm.
