Prostrating at the royal feet...paying homage before the royal urn
Bowing our heads in deepest respect...
Remembering the boundless royal grace

8:10 AM. Farewell to Father…

October 31, 2016

Tears flowed, heart trembled… from the moment I stepped into the throne hall…

Seeing… the golden urn, bright and clear, filling my eyes.

By fortunate chance… I was the first in the group.

I walked in and sat down… first… in the front row, closest to the urn.

I had a moment… to raise my hands in prayer, offering my condolences, my solemn vow.

The longest… while waiting for the others to join…

Until the moment the official told us to bow in farewell.

It is a deep sadness, for we know in our hearts that in the royal urn just a few steps away...
We will have the opportunity to see "Father" here, in front of us... like this for the last time.

.
In the nearly 5 minutes spent before the royal urn,
Tears flowed freely... like a solemn vow, a heartfelt lament
Sent to "Father," who was listening just a few steps away.
The words in my heart... that I... told "Father" were:

Rest well... Dad is very tired.

Father, your body has toiled and labored for your children for long enough.

Everything you have done for us, every lesson taught, every kindness shown, is enough. It is the foundation upon which we will build our lives.

We believe that you have not truly left us. You will continue to watch over us, your loving children, as we follow in your footsteps. You will always be with us, sending your blessings.

Though your physical form is gone, you will remain in our hearts forever.

We prostrate ourselves before the royal urn, offering our deepest respects. We bow our heads in humble gratitude for your immeasurable kindness.

Stepping out of the palace, tears still wet on my face...
As I reached out to receive the commemorative gifts, a picture of the royal urn, a bag of brown rice seeds, and an inhaler,
which the officials were waiting to hand over at the exit door... tears flowed again.

.
Determined to travel to find accommodation near the Grand Palace, to be able to wake up... and walk to wait in line at four in the morning until stepping in to pay respects at 8 am... including the 4-hour waiting period, it was the most worthwhile. Worth it for the heart, worth it for the memories, and worth it... for the rest of my life.

....................................
Travel log
For friends who are preparing to come here
....................................

On October 30th, we arrived at our friend's house near the Grand Palace in the evening. We went out to wait for the royal family in the late evening. We walked around the area where we would have to queue up in the morning, and then went back to our accommodation to prepare to wake up at 3 am to queue up at 4 am.

.
October 31st, I woke up at 3 am and left home at 4 am. I walked towards Thammasat University's Tha Phra Chan Gate and found a long queue winding its way along the sidewalk next to the wall of Wat Mahathat Temple.

4:30 AM. Standing in line on the street near the wall of Wat Mahathat, Tha Phra Chan. The line is slowly moving forward.

• While waiting… water is being distributed. A kind-hearted motorcyclist asks if anyone needs to use the restroom and offers to take them and wait for their return.
• An official walks by and gives a public announcement, teaching the proper way to bow and pay respects. The crowd watches with interest.

5:00 AM: Arriving at the Gate and Entering the Queue

At 5:00 AM, I arrived at the entrance gate and passed through the security screening. Note: There were no queue tickets today. We were organized into a line and counted there. After passing the security check, we quickly ran to find the end of the queue that circled around Sanam Luang. We walked until we found the point where the queue was divided into four lines. We chose the shortest line and stood in it, then continued walking as instructed by the officials. There was no need to worry about getting wet from the rain, as the entire walk was under a tent.

Note:

• The security screening point was located at the edge of Sanam Luang, near the three-way intersection at the entrance to Tha Phra Chan, on the side of the Maha That Temple wall. This point had a scanning gate, similar to those at airports, and officials thoroughly checked bags.
• All sharp objects, including cutters and scissors, were prohibited and would be confiscated.
• Officials provided guidance throughout the process. Once in the queue, we could simply follow the line.
• Along the way, volunteers distributed coffee, sticky rice with fried pork, and fried chicken wrapped in banana leaves. It was a very kind gesture.

5:30 AM: The queue starts moving, crossing to the tent on the other side of the road in front of Phra Lan. People line up in the tent, where chairs are provided for them to wait. They are preparing to enter the Wichaisri Gate in succession.

6:00 AM Enter the Grand Palace and line up to welcome the royal family in front of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Clasp your hands and listen to the chanting, waiting for the ceremony inside to finish.

* At the palace entrance, officials will check your attire. If it is not appropriate, there will be a point where you can borrow a shirt or sarong to change and then return to your original line.
* Try to dress as appropriately as possible. Skirts should be knee-length, shirts should have sleeves and not be tight-fitting, and shoes should have heels. However, if you really don't have any, don't worry too much. The officials are very willing to help. Elderly people from the provinces who come dressed inappropriately are also helped by the officials until they can all enter to pay their respects.

8:00 AM: Proceed to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Visitors will take turns paying their respects in front of the Royal Urn.

* Please turn off your mobile phones and refrain from taking pictures.
* Please remove your shoes and socks before stepping onto the Throne Hall.
* Please do not carry backpacks or bags on your shoulders; hold them in your hands instead.

8:10 a.m. Prostrating before the royal feet… Paying respects before the royal urn

• There will be a donation box for making merit next to the stairs leading down from the royal pavilion. If you would like to make merit, please prepare your money so that you can easily pick it up. The stairs are steep and there are a lot of people, so you might not have time.

8:30 AM: Commemorative Gifts

Commemorative gifts bestowed by His Majesty the King will be distributed at the exit gate on Na Phra Lan Road. Officials will be stationed at intervals to assist visitors. Refreshing roselle juice will also be available before departing the Grand Palace.

Four hours have passed quickly.

===================

Recommendations for those who are coming.

1. Avoid holidays if possible. Take a day off during the week instead. There will be fewer people and you'll spend less time waiting in line.

2. The best time to arrive is early in the morning before sunrise. It's cooler, there's no sun, and fewer people. Once it gets light around 6 am, the crowd starts to grow and the line wraps around Sanam Luang. The opening time has been moved to 4 am, so see how early you can wake up.

3. Many people wear their most comfortable shoes while waiting in line and then change into another pair when they sit in the tent. This is helpful because you'll be standing and walking for several hours.

4. In the early morning, there isn't much food, water, medicine, or snacks available. It's a good idea to bring a small backpack so you can have something to eat while you wait.

5. Bring a raincoat, umbrella, hat, and sunscreen. There are no tents while you're waiting inside the Grand Palace.

6. The entrance gates, screening points, queuing system, and entry times are adjusted daily to accommodate the number of people and the situation. Please check the latest information before you go.

.

Driven by passion and determination,
we fear not the heat, the rain, nor the hardship.
Upon arrival, we are joined by tens of thousands,
our fellow companions braving the sun and the rain,
steadfastly walking alongside us.
All our fears vanish in the face of such unity.

The wait… for us… 4 hours passed by so quickly.

We barely felt it. We had set aside the whole day, having heard from people who came the day before that it wouldn't be less than 7 hours.

Even if we had to enter in the evening or at night, as long as we could enter… we were willing to wait.

And when we finally stood before the Royal Urn…

We knew then… how worthwhile it was… our determination.

Our Father was more tired than us... He walked further than us, braved the heat and the rain, His sweat drenched his body more than ours throughout his life. So why... this time... Just to bid our Father farewell for the last time... Why can't we endure a little?

==============

Saved in...memory
https://www.facebook.com/loveasjourney/