The arrangements were finalised at a preparatory meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall earlier this week. The meeting was chaired by Vice Governor Theerapong Chuaychu and attended by representatives from local administrative organisations, police, and relevant government agencies.
The meeting followed the Ministry of Interior’s nationwide operational plan running from Nov 17, 2025 to Feb 1, 2026, which assigns 3,000 citizens from each of Thailand’s 76 provinces – a total of 225,000 people – to travel to the Grand Palace to pay respects.
Phuket has been allocated four groups of 750 people each. The first group travelled on Nov 25 for their scheduled entrance to the Grand Palace to pay their respects. The next three groups are scheduled as follows:
- Trip 2: Dec 16, 2025, 6am
- Trip 3: Jan 4, 2026, 4pm
- Trip 4: Jan 28, 2026, 4pm
The meeting focused on rehearsing procedures and ensuring operational readiness ahead of Trip 2. Local administrative bodies will arrange buses and assembly points for the 750 participants, including Patong Municipality, Karon Municipality, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Rawai Municipality and Chalong Municipality.
The delegation will gather at the PPAO tomorrow (Dec 14) at 9pm, where the Phuket Governor will preside over the send-off before the convoy departs for Bangkok. The meeting point in the capital has been designated at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, from where the procession will proceed to the Grand Palace at 5am on Tuesday (Dec 16).
Provincial officials stressed several requirements for participants, including appropriate attire and carrying a national ID card for verification before entering the Grand Palace. Security, transport coordination and readiness of facilities throughout the journey were also reviewed.
Each bus will be staffed with local officials, village health volunteers and police officers. Health screenings will be carried out before departure, with special attention given to mental wellbeing and blood pressure due to the long journey. Authorities will file reports to their superiors every eight hours to ensure the safety and welfare of all citizens throughout the trip.