Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial police have been told to clamp down on any attempts to occupy or sell public space along the route of the planned royal motorcade of His Majesty the King on Coronation Day.
His Majesty has granted an audience to the royal family and civil servants on Coronation Day next Monday, May 5.
Pol Maj Gen Thanes Soonthornsook, provincial police chief, said Monday he had ordered all officers involved in traffic and safety issues to come up with measures to prevent gangs and opportunists from occupying and then selling space at the roadside for the upcoming auspicious event.
Huge crowds are expected to line the motorcade route in hopes of catching sight of His Majesty.
The Royal Household Bureau announced last week the king will grant the audience at the Rajpracha Samakhom Pavilion inside the Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district on Coronation Day, starting at 10am. It will be broadcast live, nationwide, on the TV pool.
Pol Maj Gen Thanes said the space-selling business for well-wishers was reported during the king’s public appearance on his 86th birthday in Hua Hin on Dec 5 last year, but he did not elaborate. He said such behaviour was extremely inappropriate, and pledged police would prevent a repeat next week.
More than 1,000 police officers will be deployed to provide safety for the king and the public, and to manage traffic. Police will prepare parking areas capable of holding 5,000 vehicles on the northern and southern sides of the palace, he said.