Mourners undertake ‘pilgrimage’ on foot

MANY THAIS are walking hundreds of kilometres from their home provinces to the Grand Palace in the capital to pay their ultimate respects to the much-revered HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Regarded as the father of the nation, His Majesty passed away on October 13.
As Thailand mourns his passing, several of his loyal subjects are determined to make a heartfelt pilgrimage to the Grand Palace where his body is now resting.
“We are determined to walk all the way. And we are reaching our destination now,” Somjit Kaeo-iam, 65, said yesterday as his group reached Kanchananaphisek Road in Bangkok.
Somjit has walked all the way from his home province of Uthai Thani, a distance of more than 300 kilometres, along with his younger brother |Muan and some other like-minded people.
Along the way, they were cheered on by fellow Thais and even offered free food. By the time they reached Suphan Buri province, a local man also joined the group because he too wanted to make a pilgrimage on foot to the nation’s beloved paternal figure.
Starting from today, the Grand Palace in Bangkok will open its Maha Prasat Throne Hall to 10,000 mourners a day so that they can prostrate before the Royal Urn of the late |King.
In Kanchanaburi province, three men began their journey on foot to Bangkok yesterday to demonstrate their unwavering loyalty to the monarch.
“We will walk to the Grand Palace in remembrance of the King who had devoted himself to his people throughout his seven decades on the throne,” 59-year-old Panya Srithong said.
Mohamad Akabal, 31, said even though he was a stateless man, he had much love and respect for the King.
“I was born here. I know he is the father who did so much for the Thai people,” he said.
Also walking to pay tribute was a 38-year-old farmer and his physically fit daughter, from Nakhon Sawan province.
“We left our hometown on foot on Tuesday. We want to do something to honour our beloved King. We are glad that we were born during his reign,” Preecha Kaenduang said.
In Phichit province, 57-year-old Nan Saokaeo yesterday began his pilgrimage to the Grand Palace on bare feet.
“I can do it. I used to be a boxer,” he said.
His chosen route will stretch over 350 kilometres and will likely take him 10 days.
Known among his radio-programme fans as Nor Sianglor, Nan said he wished to walk bare feet to the Grand Palace because he was aware how the King had to endure exhausting trips to improve the well-being of Thais.
“After I pay my respects to him before his Royal Urn, I will also officially declare my intention to donate my body for educational purposes. I will donate my body to the Naresuan University,” Nan said.