Free Transportation Provided To Mourners

BANGKOK, Oct 16 (TNA) - The Transport Ministry has offered free shuttle boats and buses for mourners who want to go to pay respect to HM late King Bhumibol Adulyadej through this Sunday. Deputy Minister Omsin Chivapruek Saturday led a group of transport officials to inspect the services at Tha Chang-Wang Lang and Tha Maharaj-Wang Lang piers near the Grand Palace. The two piers have seen a big increase in passenger number since Thursday as they are located the closest to Siriraj Hospital, where the late king had stayed, and the Grand Palace, where the funeral is held. The Deputy Minister said he was concerned by the high number of boat passengers and urged them to pay extra caution when using the service as the current in the Chao Phrya River is very strong these days. He has instructed pier officers to strictly follow the Department of Harbour's regulations on safety. The nearby Tha Phrachan-Siriraj Hospital ferry pier has received tens of thousands of passenger on Saturday. Thirty bus lines, passing the Sanam Luang royal ceremonial ground outside the Grand Palace are running at free service from Oct 13-16. (TNA)