Army welcomes public wishing to pay respect to late King

BANGKOK, Oct 21 (TNA) -- The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is ready to welcome approximately 150,000 people wishing to lay sandalwood flowers to pay final respect during the Royal Cremation Ceremony for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej next Thursday at its headquarters, said a senior army officer. Major General Nirandorn Srikacha, director-general of RTA’s Directorate of Civil Affairs, said 10 large tents will be set up at RTA headquarters along with large TV sets which will telecast live the Royal Cremation Ceremony from Sanam Luang Ceremonial Ground on that day. The RTA headquarters is one of the 16 large pavillions in the Thai capital where the publicl could lay sandalwood flowers to pay respect to the late, beloved King. Reiterating that preparations will be complete next Wednesday, Maj Gen Nirandorn said the RTA prepares about 100,000 sandalwood flowers and it will ask for more flowers from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration if the flowers are not enough. (TNA)