THE GRAND PALACE IS BANGKOK'S MOST MAGNIFICENT, SUBLIME AND LEGENDARY TOURIST ATTRACTION. IT HAS REOPENED SINCE 1 NOVEMBER 2016 AFTER THE DEMISE OF THE BELOVED KING OF THAILAND WHO IS LYING IN STATE THERE. SINCE THAILAND IS IN MOURNING, HERE ARE TIPS TO SHOW YOUR RESPECT TO THAILAND AND ITS PEOPLE.

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

Advice for all visitors to Bangkok's Grand Palace from 1 November 2016 Bangkok, 1 November, 2016 – Bangkok’s Grand Palace is reopening its doors to tourists and visitors from 1 November, 2016. However, as Thailand is still in an official mourning period for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, visitors to the Palace should wear appropriate and respectable attire. The Bureau of the Royal Household as well as related authorities including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Transport’s Marine Department, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have announced the following advice for tourists who would like to visit the Grand Palace. Entrance and exit • For tourists, the Grand Palace is open every day from 08.30 – 15.30 Hrs. Tourists and visitors are advised to enter and exit at the Wiset Chaisri Gate only. Drop-off and pick-up locations For group tours There are three drop-off and pick-up locations for tour companies taking foreign group visitors to visit the Grand Palace. 1. Travel by car only: drop-off and pick-up at the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel. 2. Travel by car and boat: arrival by car, drop-off at the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel; return by boarding the boat at the Tha Chang Pier. 3. Travel by boat only: boarding the boat (maximum capacity: 400 passengers) both ways at Asiatique The Riverfront, and access via the Tha Maharaj Pier. However, there is an extra cost of 130 Baht per person. Tour buses can park at the Rama VIII Bridge, the Old Southern Bus Terminal (about 1 km past Central Pinklao), Wat Dusidaram (at the foot of Phra Pinklao Bridge on the Thon Buri side). For smaller tour vehicles or private cars, the drop-off and pick-up is at the Chang Rongsi Bridge. For Individual 1. Travel by BTS Sky Train: get off at the Saphan Taksin Station and take a boat to the Tha Chang Pier or the Tha Maharaj Pier. 2. Travel by MRT Bangkok Metro: get off at the Hua Lamphong Station (Bangkok Railway Station) and take a bus to the Grand Palace. Tourist facilitation and assistance The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Tourist Police has deployed special-task officers and volunteers as well as Tourist Police officers with the ability to communicate in foreign languages to facilitate tourists and provide assistance. The six officers and volunteers are stationed at the Tourist Assistance tent opposite the Wiset Chaisri Gate from 08.30-16.30 Hrs., or call +66 (0) 2642 2767 (Chinese language) and +66 (0) 84 651 5549. The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has arranged to set up signage for the drop-off and pick-up locations in English and Chinese. The Marine Department will deploy Tourist Assistance officers at three piers: Tha Chang, Tha Maharaj and Asiatique The Riverfront. Tourists must show their passport at the checkpoints before entering the Grand Palace, and It is advised not to bring much belongings. Overview images of The Grand Palace, Bangkok on 1 November 2016. See more at: TATNewsroom

Grand Palace to reopen to visitors from 1 November 2016 The Grand Palace  has reopened its doors to tourists and visitors from 1 November, 2016. As this is a Royal Palace, all visitors are expected to dress respectfully, and to be aware that Thailand is currently in an official period of mourning for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  Visitors should wear sombre-coloured attire as a mark of respect during this period when visiting the Palace: • Male: a shirt or T-shirt, long dark coloured trousers or jeans (without any holes), and covered footwear. • Female: blouse or T-shirt that covers the shoulders, long skirt or dress, and covered footwear. The Grand Palace is open every day from 08.00 – 16.00 Hrs., Tourists can enter at the Wiset Chaisri Gate as normal, except during royal ceremonies. The entrance fee includes access to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaeo, the Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavilion, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.  See more at: TATNewsroom

Thailand open for business as usual with tourists events and attractions going ahead While Thailand is officially in a mourning period in remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Ministry of Tourism and sports (MOTs) along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai people want to assure foreign visitors and tourists that Thai people remain as warm and hospitable as ever, with cultural attractions and facilities for tourists all in place.   Furthermore, most cultural, traditional and MICE events will still go on with some adjustments for appropriateness. Otherwise, it is business as usual with the mourning period having no impact on travel plans and tours. As part of the strategy to get the message out, Mrs. Kobkarn welcomed ambassadors and diplomats from 34 countries as well as representatives from 10 chambers of commerce to “The Afternoon Tea with the Minister of Tourism and Sports.” This was aimed at spreading the word that “life goes on” in Thailand and that visitors will be welcomed with open arms and all events and festivals are going ahead.  Loi Krathong Festival 2016 will show respect to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Here is the updated list of the Loi Krathong Festival and any changes to planned festivals up and down the country. Bangkok – At Santi Chaiprakarn Park in the heart of the old city, visitors will learn about the history of Loi Krathong and see performers and characters in traditional Thai costumes taking part in traditional activities against the glorious backdrop of the Rattanakosin temples. There is the chance to make krathongs, try traditional food and enjoy the atmosphere of the charming riverside park. The event will take place on 14 November, 2016, from 17.00-22.00 Hrs. Chiang Mai – The Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival 2016 will be held from 12-15 November with the old Tha Phae Gate being the centre of action. This year, there will be a giant krathong parade contest to win the trophy of the Prime Minister. Other activities include floating krathong contests, krathong-making contests, religious rituals, and several other traditional Lanna-style ceremonies as you would expect to see in Chiang Mai. Sukhothai – In many ways this is the spiritual home of the Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand. The Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival 2016 takes place annually in the Sukhothai Historical Park. This year, the Park will light up the historical ruins of old Sukhothai, allowing visitors to enter and float their krathongs on 10-14 November, from 09.30-24.00 Hrs. and there are 9,999 censer candles at 18.00 Hrs. daily. Tak – This year, Tak will organise “Loi Krathong Sai Floating 9,999 Lanterns in Remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej” by floating a thread of glittering krathongs made from coconut shells on the river from the banks of the Ping River on 14 November.