AUTHORITIES are preparing to stage an exhibition in honour of much-revered HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Sanam Luang, the main ground for mourners from across the country.
Since the King passed away on October 13, more than 1.7 million black-clad Thais headed to Sanam Luang to queue up for their turn to pay respects to their beloved monarch before his portrait over the first 15 days, and more recently before his body inside the adjacent Throne Hall at the Grand Palace.
“The exhibition will go up so that waiting people can admire the precious stories about His Majesty and his royal works,” First Army Area deputy commander Maj-General Pongsawat Pannajit said yesterday in his capacity as the deputy chief of the joint-safety operation centre.
The centre sprang into action since the demise of the King, who commanded overwhelming love and respect from his people throughout his 70-year-long reign.
Pongsawat said it was Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s initiative to have the exhibition set up.
According to Pongsawat, Renu Tunkachivangoon, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister for political affairs, was dispatched to consider details about the location of the exhibition yesterday. “The exhibition will be in the northern zone of Sanam Luang,” Pongsawat explained. “We are preparing the area.”
He added that more tents would be erected to accommodate the huge turnout of mourners.
Today, about 200 mahouts and 10 elephants will perform a show of loyalty to the late King in front of the Defence Ministry, which is opposite the Grand Palace.
In a related development, relevant authorities have been discussing preparations to continue providing convenience to people even though a large portion of Sanam Luang must be cleared to pave way for the construction of the royal crematorium.
Free services currently available in Sanam Luang include food and medical assistance. Mourners from the provinces can also get free accommodation in Bangkok.
Security officials have been on duty round the clock at Saman Luang. Between October 21 and November 6, a police unit based in Sanam Luang has received 83 complaints of alleged crimes. Of them, 21 related to theft and 48 to crimes against the state such as migrants’ illegal entry into Thailand and the unauthorised wearing of military uniforms.
Other complaints include public concerns about people with apparent mental problems and two alleged sexual assaults.