PEOPLE are preparing for the historic moment of the accession of King Rama X to the Throne with suppliers stocking up on portraits, T-shirts, flags and other symbolic souvenirs in anticipation of high demand.
National Legislative Assembly (NLA) President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said he was waiting for a royal audience with HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn so that he could offer an invitation for the Heir to ascend the Throne.
Many school representatives from the provinces also headed to the capital yesterday to buy portraits of the Crown Prince as well as flags with the Crown Prince’s emblem. They are preparing decorations to celebrate the new King’s succession. It is a tradition in Thai households, private offices and government agencies to display portraits of the monarch.
“I’ve come here [Bangkok] to buy a portrait of HRH the Crown Prince to be placed in my school as a gesture of welcome to the new monarch,” said Chaikit Wutthivaree, 34, an employee of Panjawittaya Technical Training School in Pathum Thani province. He bought and transported an 80-centimetre by 120cm royal portrait back to the school by “tuk-tuk”.
Dozens of shops located near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Temple, which have sold royal photographs and flags with royal emblems for decades, are selling increasing numbers of pictures of the Crown Prince.