Thai Govt Admin Continues Without Disruption - Spokesman

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The Thai Government administration continues to function without disruption despite the nation mourning the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the preparations for the royal funeral rites. Government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said it did not want any vacuum in its work. "Although the entire nation is grief-stricken, the national administration, as well as trade and investment still operated normally," he said in a statement here Monday. He said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had denied social media rumours that the government ordered the portrait of the late king to be taken down from government offices, schools and public places. He said King Bhumibol's portrait should be diplayed, especially for the people to pay their respects but the flags with royal ceremonial emblems for celebrations when the late king was still alive should be taken down. Sansern asked the people to seek information from the government and not from other avenues. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Suwappan Tanyuwattana said the number of Thais travelling to the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the late king was expected to increase next weekend. The increasing number of people, he said, was due to the long weekend, adding that the number could reach 200,000 daily as Thais were expected to take advantage of the long public holiday to visit the Grand Palace. Thais will celebrate King Chulalongkorn Day to commemorate his death on Oct 23. He said the public would also be allowed to pay homage in front of the king's urn on Oct 28, where the number of visitors was expected to swell several fold. King Bhumibol, 88, died last Thursday after reigning for 70 years. -- BERNAMA