By late Wednesday morning activity had increased noticeably. There were many more people walking around, taking pictures, or reserving plastic chairs under the canopies. There were three sheltered seating areas- two for the public and another, next to the main wat, set aside for monks only. Seating capacity was well over a thousand. Seats in the first rows of each were designated for VIPs. High ranked monks, Thai hi-so, and patrons had seats that were either higher, had more cushioning, or were cloth covered. Some center seats had small tables alongside as well. In Thailand it is always readily apparent who sits where.
Almost everyone came up to pose in front of the bier. There were so many people milling around that it was difficult to get clear shots of the various groups. The mood seemed both somber and festive.
Those having their pictures taken ran the gamut of Thai society.
Monks wanted memories as well. Some of them seemed as much in awe of the occasion as the general public.
Shortly after noon a crew arrived and began erecting scaffolding on the north side of the bier.
At first I thought they were rigging fireworks or incendiary devices. But the bamboo sticks were for securing the scaffolding. The thicker, dark-green line was tied around the joints, the piece of bamboo rotated to snub it tight, and the lighter green twine on the end was tied off to keep the bamboo from unwinding.
The scaffolding rose as a series of platforms providing access to the back of the main tower.
It was only when they removed the curtain partition that I realized what the scaffolding was for. This was how the casket of Pha Thep Veehsutthikwun would be passed up, hands to hands, to be placed in the central tower.
Even as the scaffolding was being put up, the mile long funeral procession had already left Wat Buph Pharam, Thais were lining the five mile route, and crowds had begun to gather around the entrance to Wat Suandok to await its arrival. A truly momentous event for Thais was now underway, and it was with excitement, awe, and anticipation, that I waited with them. An amazing day already and it had just begun!
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