People begin occupying Ayutthaya's Thung Makham Yong

May 25, 2012

BANGKOK, May 25 -- People began occupying Ayutthaya's Thung Makham Yong early this morning claiming vantage points, waiting to catch a glimpse of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej during his visit to Thailand's former capital of Ayutthaya later today.

Preparations were completed for various activities including an evening light and sound show and a folk boat procession prepared by local residents.

Police and other authorities are applying strict security to manage the huge crowds which are gathering in the province, particularly at historic Thung Makham Yong.

HM the King will visit Thung Makham Yong in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, the location of the ‘monkey cheek’ water retention area royal project designed to retain and divert flood water and home to the monument of Queen Srisuriyothai of Ayutthaya.

The monarch harvested rice from a royal experimental rice field in Thung Makham Yong on May 14, 1996.

HM the King, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, will leave Siriraj Hospital at 4.30pm, and are expected to arrive at Ayutthaya at around 5.20pm.

Their Majesties were scheduled to pay homage to the statue of Queen Srisuriyothai before enjoying the performances.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will donate seven rai of land valued at Bt20 million at Thung Makham Yong to HM the King when he visits the area.

The trip will be the monarch’s first long distance trip outside Bangkok since he was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on Sept 19, 2009 with symptoms of fever, lung inflammation and fatigue.

HM the King has recovered but has remained in hospital ever since, both for physical therapy and nourishment to regain his strength. (MCOT online news)

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