Bangkok governor pays respect to late King Rama VIII statue

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) - Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided over a Brahmin ceremony Saturday morning to bless the royal statue of Thailand's late King Rama VIII, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's elder brother, located at the foot of the Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok's Bang Phlad area. M.R. Sukhumbhand said that preparations on welcoming Their Majesties the King and Queen and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at a ceremony to inaugurate the royal monument of the late King Rama VIII at around 5:15pm this evening have been almost complete. The Bangkok governor announced that well-wishers from across the country will be allowed to enter the newly-developed 35-rai Rama VIII Park on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, also called Suan Luang Rama VIII Park, to welcome Their Majesties and the Princess from 3pm onward, and that three pavilions built inside the park can accommodate about 400 people wishing to greet Their Majesties and the Princess. According to the Bangkok governor, colourful flowers and orchids have been decorated at the park while a number of well-wishers have already arrived and booked their seats awaiting for the arrival of the revered monarchs. The statue of the King Rama VIII was built as a tribute the late King Ananda Mahidol. It is considered part of the Rama VIII Bridge across the Chao Phraya River. (TNA)