Royal bathing ceremony now open till 2pm, crowd gathers

Royal bathing ceremony now open till 2pm, crowd gathers

The symbolic royal bathing in front of King Bhumibol's image at the palace on Friday morning. (Photo by Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn)
The symbolic royal bathing in front of King Bhumibol's image at the palace on Friday morning. (Photo by Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn)

Mourners formed a long queue to attend Friday's symbolic royal bathing ceremony of the late King Bhumibol, and the time it remained open to the public was extended until 2pm, as crowds jammed footpaths along the processional route to the Grand Palace.

The Royal Household Bureau announced the bathing and said the public were welcome to attend the symbolic ceremony in front of the late king’s image at the Sala Sahathai Samakhom pavilion inside the Grand Palace.

Inititally open until noon, it was later announced the public would be allowed admittance until 2pm.

People don black and white to attend the symbolic royal bathing in front of King Bhumibol's image at the palace on Friday morning. (Photo by Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn)

Friday was declared a public holiday to allow as many people as possible to attend the ceremony, and other mourning activities.

Mourners in black thronged Siriraj intersection and nearby roads on Friday morning, crowding footpaths along the route as they waited to pay  respect to their greatly beloved late King.

The carried yellow flags with the royal emblem, portraits of His Majesty the King and lotus flowers.

Sidewalks at Siriraj intersection and along Wang Lang and Arun Amarin roads were packed.

The procession of the King's body from Siriraj Hospital is scheduled to begin at 3pm, with the live television broadcast starting at 2.30pm. The procession will leave from Gate 8 of the hospital.

From there, it will turn right and cross Arun Amarin Bridge. After that it will cross Phra Pinklao Bridge. The procession will move along Ratchadamnoen Road to the Grand Palace, entering by the Thevapirom Gate.

The public are welcome to watch the procession from any vantage point along the route but they must wear only plain black clothes. (continues below)

Mourners wearing black congregate at Siriraj Hospital on Friday morning, waiting for the procession of the King's body in the afternoon. (Photo by Seksan Rojjanametakun)

He will perform the royal bathing at 5pm.

The cabinet also sought cooperation from the public in suspending entertainment activities for one month.

The processional route courtesy of FM91 Trafficpro



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