Thousands visit palace to pay tribute

More than 10,000 people were expected to visit the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the body of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother yesterday, the first day that the public was welcomed in, says Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom.

- ANUCHA CHAROENPO ACHADTHAYA CHEUNNIRAN

Following the 15-day royal merit-making ceremonies, Pol Gen Siam said yesterday that 6,200 seats had been arranged to accommodate visitors from 8am to 9pm. More than 3,000 people had arrived in the first hour alone, and the number of visitors throughout the day was expected to exceed 10,000, he said.

Crowds began forming as early as 6am to enter the hall. Some said they had arrived on Saturday night.