Dear readers,
In recent days many messages about the many Thai, who come to say goodbye to their king in the palace. The four of us want to visit the palace in mid-November, but are dreading the long line of waiting “farewellers”.
My brother and sister-in-law are less mobile, so waiting in a long line is not really an option! Are there "2 queues" waiting, one for the Thai people who want to say goodbye and the tourists who just want to see the palace?
Tips or experience from very recently?
Regards,
John and Mariet
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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Dear Johan and Mariet,
The king in Thailand has a different status/function than with us in the Netherlands.
Respect is very much in order here.
Guess they don't care about tourists who 'just want to see the palace' at this point.
Will not ask them (on the spot) as this can come across as disrespectful, with all its consequences.
Kind regards, Hendrik S.
I think that when you visit a country you should first immerse yourself in the culture of the country.
The Thai have enormous respect for their king and want to pay his last respects. Worrying about long waiting times is not important in this one. So my advice is "don't go".
With fri.gr.
Bangkok, October 28, 2016 – The Grand Palace will reopen its doors to tourists and visitors from November 1, 2016.
mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, “The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaeo are the jewels in the crown of Thailand's attractions. It is a superlative example of Thai art and architecture and has been the heart of the country for over two centuries. So we're happy that visitors can come and enjoy this special place and take home glittering memories of our capital.”
At the moment there is not even enough capacity to allow the grieving Thai to say goodbye.
Out of respect, I think it would be better to let this “attraction” pass. People even look strange when tourists queue up because THEY want to pay their last respects to their king and “the tourist” has nothing to do with this. Their king is seen by many as Father and the farewell is hard. Wouldn't want to stand in between to see the palace like this. Just wait a few years and you'll have a good reason to come back.
As I have already indicated in an above response, the royal palace can simply be visited by tourists. You therefore have no business in the long queue of people waiting. The government is well aware that tourism is an indispensable source of income for thousands. The government has now taken measures because for many Thais it is more like a few pleasant days out, with all the excesses that entails. Like queuing for free food, collecting and selling it. All kinds of stalls selling anything and everything. The so-called free moped taxis for which you have to pay later. And so I can go on and on. I don't want to generalize but if Thais can earn money then the respect they should show now is hard to find. I've been walking in the black for weeks, just like my wife, but I can't say that about most Thais here on Samui.
So just visit the palace, remember the dress code that has always been there. Now preferably black, and enjoy your holiday in Thailand.
It's not worth watching.
I live here and my friends who have come say the same thing we had to stand in line here for so long.
If you've seen it once you know it.
Gr Rob
The best way to see the Grand palace is by boat. There are two entrances one for the people who want to say goodbye to the king and one for the tourists. If you look on the internet at the newspaper the Nation Bangkok there is a whole site Kingdom grieves there are also the clothing regulations on black, you don't have to but spell a black bow tie that you can get at the airport and other places.
And sorry Rob it is worth it, you will only see this once, we hope to go and see it ourselves.
When the king's mother passed away and we were there, the Grand Palace left a deep impression on us. Don't forget identification. Regards Christina