Reader question: To the Grand Palace in Bangkok to see preparations for the cremation of King Bhumibol
17 August 2017
Dear readers,
I want to go to the Grand Palace in Bangkok next week to see all the preparations for King Bhumibol's cremation. I have black clothes with me.
I hear that there are about 10-20.000 visitors a day to visit the cremation site, so long waiting times.
Does anyone know what I should take into account in terms of waiting time?
Have the opening hours been adjusted, or just from 8:30 a.m. to 15:30 p.m.?
Regards,
Henk
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Went last Sunday, left at 4 am so as not to be late, so well, terrible
busy, the Thais were queuing from 1 am, after hours of waiting, inside but then you're not there yet, couldn't keep it up, too bad. good luck if you go.
First and foremost, wear a lot of dueling and mourning clothes. Want long pants, long sleeve shirt. For the ladies long skirt to the ankles and closed blouse with long sleeves. Of course in black. Without this clothing you will not get access.
The opening hours of the Grand Palace jet are unchanged. Black clothing is not necessary, but long pants are. It is recommended to join the queue at least around 08.30:09.30, as the dropping of Japanese tourists starts at XNUMX:XNUMX.
Umbrella/sunscreen strongly recommended. There are several 'bottle-necks': Central entrance, Clothing inspection, Ticket sales and so on.
As colorful as Hans describes it, I have not been able to find it in recent reviews. I'd just make sure you're there at 08.30:XNUMX and then see how it goes.
What still deserves attention is that you say that you are going there to see the preparations for the cremation, and you also mention 'the place of the cremation'.
As far as I know, the cremation takes place at Sanam Luang, a 76 Rai large field opposite the Grand Palace. There is currently a lot of construction work going on there. I doubt whether there is much to notice within the walls of the Grand Palace.
There are rumors / it looks like the place will be open to the public for some time in November, so after the cremation, before tearing it down again.
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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1291027/royal-funeral-site-open-to-public-in-november
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A recent video blog from a visitor to the Grand Palace:
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https://youtu.be/vzjYS_FI2WA
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Prayut on site inspection in July.
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https://youtu.be/Ndq361efzks
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Animation of construction.
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https://youtu.be/RmkQFUTg1VY
You can either visit the Grand Palace 'just' as a tourist, or to pay respect to the deceased king. The latter is through another entrance and for that you indeed have appropriate black clothing and join many thousands of others and are prepared to wait a long time. The cremation tower under construction can be seen from a distance.
What Henriette says is correct; the place where the construction work is taking place in preparation for the cremation is closed and can therefore only be seen from a distance. Furthermore, new sidewalks will be built around the palace and Sanam Luang and the electricity cables will be laid underground. The palace and Wat Phra Kaew are open to the public as usual. Please take into account extra traffic in the area. Visiting and paying respect to the king, on the other hand, is indeed a matter of patience and long queues. Appropriate clothing seems obvious to me.
I went to greet the King last Monday. We arrived at 8.00:13.45 am and at XNUMX:XNUMX pm I was able to greet the King. So it takes a long time to wait, but the further you go, the more options you have to sit down. There is plenty of free drink (water) available and there is also the option to eat. While you are queuing, you can sometimes see a little of the preparation works for the King's cremation, but you cannot really visit the grounds and you cannot see any of the preparation works from the large Royal Palace.
Hopefully you can do something with this info.
Regards, Jean-Paul