Free public transport in Bangkok will be provided from October 25-27 to help people coming into, and moving through, the capital to attend the funeral flower-laying sites for the Royal Cremation of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The BTS Skytrain’s On Nut-Samrong and
Wongwian Yai-Ban Wa extensions, the Airport Rail Link, and the Mass
Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT)’s Purple Line will provide
free services for the three days, said MRT deputy governor for operations, Anusilp Sirivejchapan.
The MRT Blue Line services and the BTS Skytrain for On Nut-Mo Chit and
National Stadium-Wongwian Yai routes would be free only on October 26
when they would remain open until 2am, Anusilp added.
From October 25-27, the Bus Rapid Transit services and public boat
services at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and Khlong Pasicharoen will be
free, said Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Deputy Governor Pol
Lt-General Chinnatat Meesuk.
There will be a return to black-and-white TV broadcasts and a general
toning down of all entertainment from October 23 until the end of the
month out of respect for the late King’s funeral ceremonies.
Medical teams and qualified first-aid volunteers will provide assistance
to people attending the Royal Cremation at Sanam Luang and the Grand
Palace, as well as at designate sites nationwide from October 24 until
the end of the cremation ceremony, according to Public Health Minister
Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn.
Dr Sopon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry,
said the Public Health Emergency Response Division had been assigned to
open a central public health emergency operation centre (EOC) during the
Royal Cremation.
The Department of Medical Services would coordinate with hospitals to
provide manpower for medical treatment. Teams would be stationed at 21
main service points in Bangkok and the vicinity and 113 designated sites
to collect funeral flowers. At each province during the same period a
provincial public health office head would open an EOC to manage medical
services provided at each of the designated sites to collect funeral
flowers.
The already-running joint operation centre for medical and public health
has provided medical and first-aid services to 3.2 million people who
visited the Grand Palace to pay respects before the Royal Urn. It will
continue services until September 30 before its personnel would
be moved to work with the EOC in central Bangkok.
Meanwhile, the number of people visiting the Grand Palace to pay their
respects in front the Royal Urn yesterday morning reportedly reached the
week’s peak of 32,000. Attendance has increased in recent days as the
September 30 deadline approaches.
The Royal Household Bureau yesterday reported that 11,065,577 people had
paid their respects over the past 324 days and, during the same period,
public merit-making donations for the late King totalled Bt820 million.
Source - TheNation
