The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has prepared accommodation, food and toilets to serve mourners from across the country who will attend the royal cremation ceremony at Sanam Luang, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiew-ngarm said the Thai Japan Youth Centre will be opened for 5,000 people from upcountry to stay overnight during the royal cremation from Oct 24 to 26.

Some schools under the BMA administration will also provide accommodation for the attendees. Three large kitchens will be set up to cook food for distribution to public members.

About 70 toilet buses and 150 mobile toilet sets will be mobilised to Ratthanakosin Island, near the ceremonial site at Sanam Luang and designated sites for sandalwood flower laying ceremonies across the city, he said.

Regarding the construction of the royal crematorium replicas at the Dusit Palace Plaza or Equestrian Statue Plaza, scaffolding was removed from the structure and the portrait of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been displayed. The site will be decorated with marigolds before Oct 13.

Eight royal cremation replicas, including four around Sanam Luang ceremonial ground and four others at the four corner of Bangkok will be finished by Oct 15, the deputy governor said.

Two million marigolds will be used to decorate all royal crematorium replicas in the capital in tribute to the late King.

-- BERNAMA