Tourists will once again be able to visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha and parts of the Grand Palace beginning next week, a spokesperson for the prime minister explained to local media. Those wishing to take a tour should enter through the usual gate, Wiset Chaisri Gate, during opening hours.
Meanwhile, those wishing to pay personal respects to His Majesty The King Bhumibol Adulyadej are asked to enter the Grand Palace through the Manee Nopparat Gate and leave via Wiman Thewes and Thewa Bhirom gates. Plans are already in place to cope with the tour groups and buses the normally arrive to the site as well as the influx of mourners.
It has also been announced that a number of events including Christmas celebrations and Songkran have received permission to go ahead so long as they adhere to the dress code in place and express mourning over the late monarch.
“For example, people should put on a black ribbon while attending the festivals,” Deputy PM General Tanasak Patimapragorn told local media outlets. He noted that a meeting of the National Culture Commission figured out the guidelines for the celebrations of popular festivals in Thailand including Loy Krathong, Christmas, New Year, the Chinese New Year and Songkran.
Additionally, some 41 natural museums in Thailand have announced that they will offer free admission until 31st January. The National Museum Bangkok is expected to open an exhibition on the late King that will contain more than 15,000 photos about the much-beloved monarch.
Meanwhile, a number of entertainment venues have resumed operations and Tanasak reported that this was permitted so long as the establishments continue to operate their services within the line of appropriateness and local context.
Image: Grand Palace Bangkok via thailandtourscenter.com
