His Majesty the King has granted permission for mourners to pay their respects before the body of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace starting on Nov 9, the Royal Household Bureau announced.
In its statement, the bureau said that starting on Monday, mourners are allowed to pay respects before a portrait of the Queen Mother at Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion from 8.30am to 4pm daily where condolence books are also available for signing.
The bureau said that after the completion of the royal merit-making rites marking the first 15 days of the passing, mourners will be allowed to pay their respects before the body of the late Queen Mother at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall from Nov 9, between 9am and 9pm daily.
Members of the royal family, the Privy Council, the cabinet and representatives of the government and private sectors, along with the general public, will be permitted to co-host merit-making rites following the 100-day royal funeral ceremony.
At the Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion on Sunday, the atmosphere was solemn as mourners, with many holding pictures of Her Majesty, gathered to pour bathing water before a portrait of the late Queen Mother.
Among them was Mayuree Bandasak, 77, who travelled alone from her home in Bang Khen district.
Fighting tears, she said she was deeply moved by the Queen Mother’s lifelong dedication to improving the livelihoods of Thais, especially through projects promoting women’s careers and education.
She said Her Majesty was a true companion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, always working by his side for the benefit of the people through several decades.
After attending the pouring of bathing water, several mourners lined the streets outside the Grand Palace to witness the royal motorcade transferring the Queen Mother’s body from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to the Grand Palace. Screening points were set up at Sanam Luang with tents and seating areas to accommodate mourners.