Govt, NCPO continue to facilitate and assist mourners

Govt, NCPO continue to facilitate and assist mourners

Surapan Laotharanarit

BANGKOK, 21 October 2016 (NNT) – As loyal subjects continue to pay respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace, various units of the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are striving to ensure utmost convenience and safety for everyone. 

Following a survey on the number of mourners visiting the Grand Palace, Deputy Commander of the Army Region 1 Maj Gen Pongsawat Phannachit reported that over the past seven days there were a total of 225,000 visitors or a daily average of about 40,000-50,000 people. Last Saturday alone saw the number of mourners surge to over 77,000. 

Speaking of this Saturday’s activity to be held for people to sing the royal anthem for the beloved King outside the Grand Palace, the Deputy Commander said security checkpoints will be set up on the perimeters of the venue to screen people entering the area. He also advised people against spending the night in the field of Sanam Luang due to safety concerns, saying they should instead use free accommodations arranged for them by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. 

NCPO Spokesperson Col Winthai Suvaree revealed that the government’s center for situation monitoring is working to ensure all state agencies are operating efficiently in providing convenience for mourners. He said the NCPO is looking to reorganize the way people queue up to enter the Grand Palace and possibly to open a special lane for the elderly and the handicapped. Volunteer interpreters will also be deployed to communicate with foreigners. 

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development and Human Security Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew paid a visit to his ministry’s public service station at Sanam Luang. The station was set up to provide many services, such as helping children who get separated from their parents, giving counseling to distressed mourners, lending wheelchairs to the physically-challenged and handing out black ribbons to passersby.

 

-- nnt 2016-10-22