On the first day of the New Year, members of the public and state officials waited their turn to write messages inside the compound.

Visitors included Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife Naraporn, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, and other members of Cabinet and the NLA.

They were joined by Cabinet ministers, representatives from political parties, senior bureaucrats, military commanders, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries, including former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Grand Palace was open to welcome well-wishers from 7.30am to 4.30pm.

Security measures were strict as usual yesterday with visitors being asked to produce ID cards and surrender their bags for examination.

The Grand Palace was not open for people to pay homage before the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Urn, but the Throne Hall reopens today.

At royal palaces in various provinces, residents as well as tourists were also allowed to sign |messages and extend New Year’s wishes celebrating the holiday and paying respects to the monarchy.

Permission was granted for members of the public to enter the Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin, Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace in Narathiwat and Phupan Ratchaniwet Palace in Sakhon Nakhon.

In Hua Hin, a district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and |Mayor Nopporn Wuthikul were among the |well-wishers.