With mourners continuing to flock to Sanam Luang to enter the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and pay their respects to the late King, the government continues to look at ways to reduce the large crowds and find a system that makes the process easier. One such idea, a queuing website, appears to have gained traction and may be up as soon as next month, according to local media.
An online system could be opened to mourners as soon as 1st December. Those wishing to secure their place in the queue to pay tribute to the late King at the Grand Palace would be able to reserve a spot via a government website. The online system is seen as a way to reduce long waiting times and make it easier for the government to keep track of daily quotas.
The online system will run on a trial basis and be managed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, deputy 1st Army Region chief Phongsawat Phannachit told the Bangkok Post. No website address has been announced as of yet.
In other news, the newspaper reported that ten elephants accompanied by 200 mahouts traveled to Bangkok from Ayutthaya to perform a show outside the Grand Palace. The ceremony honored His Majesty The King who was known for his efforts to help maintain Thailand’s elephant population.
Organisers from Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal explained to the media that the elephants put on a performance as a sign of the utmost respect for The King and pay tribute to His Majesty’s contributions to the preservation of Thai elephants. The ceremony involved the elephants taking nine steps in front of the Defence Ministry before turning their faces toward the Grand Palace and prostrating.
Image by Jorge Silva, Reuters
