The sufferer of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neurological disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, finished the seven-day trip yesterday morning at the Grand Palace, receiving a warm welcome from fellow mourners. With his wheelchair bearing a portrait of the King, he described his action as “my humble farewell to His Majesty the King”.
Many mourners had their photo taken with Pan and congratulated him for completing his journey. With tears brimming in his eyes, he smiled and said he was glad to finally be there. He signed a farewell message to the beloved monarch.
Pan said he was determined to reach Bangkok to express his gratitude for the many items he had received help from the King’s royal projects including his wheelchair and prosthodontics. He also said he had applied His Majesty’s teachings to his own life to make him more content despite his illness. Pichit Sidadee accompanied Pan on the trip and said he had never felt so close to the King.
Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had praised Pan and had instructed the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to take care of his health, meals and transport during his stay in Bangkok and facilitate his return to Buri Ram.
Another wheelchair-bound man with the same illness, Sathit “Uncle Mhee” Janrangsi, 54, departed his hometown Phitsanulok province last Sunday en route to the Grand Palace and by yesterday morning he had reached Angthong province.
He is being accompanied by 28-year-old restaurant owner Natthapat Sirimongkolpan, who joined Sathit on his bicycle in Nakhon Sawan’s Phayuha Khiri district. They are expected to reach Bangkok on Tuesday.
Sathit said he loved His Majesty so much that every year he had done the same trip, except on those occasions he had sign messages wishing the King good health.
He said he was struck by grief when he heard about the King’s passing, and he was determined to travel to Bangkok on his wheelchair to express his love and loyalty for the monarch and to join others in mourning him.