One of my definite to-do lists when back in Bangkok last December was to pay respect to the late King. The main reason wasn’t for the sake of myself paying respect but to see the people and their activities around it.
Totally, it took about six hours that day to eventually get into the Grand Palace for ten minutes to pay the homage to HM’s body. Most of that time was just a wait in Sanam Luang, outside the Grand Palace. That would be enough for me to get a glimpse of the mourning environment.
Our wait started around 4 pm when we got in an area big white adjacent tent that covered almost the north half of Sanam Luang. Underneath the tent, we were assigned to sit in a section filled with white plastic chairs. That was our base until our section would be called to move in.
It took about five hours in the tent but it really wasn’t too bad. We were lucky to get a seat row next to a power outlet. The outlets were for fans to circulate the airflow in the tent and we got to charge our phones. While sitting there, roaming volunteers kept coming to offer us some food, snack, and trash disposal. Best of all, we could take off anywhere in the tent without worrying about losing our spots. So I took some strolls to see what would intrigue me.
One of the sections attendees move to before getting inside the Grand Palace 
Volunteers giving away medicine as might be needed 
When the night falls, some stalls are so popular for their giveaway snacks that it builds up a queue 
One of volunteers that roaming around the waiting area for trash disposal service 
Piles of water bottles stocked up in one the tents 
Most volunteer stalls are closed for the day but they leave their stuff to cook for the following day 
Some volunteers gather in the evening to fold paper food bowls to use for the following days 
Volunteers cleaning up the cooking of the day
The mood wasn’t so sombre but it was certainly calm and organised. I was quite impressed with the patience of the crowd for that long wait and more impressed with the hospitality of the volunteers. Their services were obviously full of willingness and dedication. It could be fairly said that was once in the lifetime for everyone.
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