Jaunted

Tags: Attractions / Royal Palaces / Royal Travel / Tourist Sites / → All Tags

Nepal Kicks Royals Out; Invites Tourists In

One of the world's last old-school monarchies, the royal family of Nepal, is being eased out of their luxuries as the country gets keen on democracy. And as the royal family is on the way out, Parliament has asked them to kindly vacate their royal residence.

But their loss is inquisitive travelers' gain: the government is transforming Narayanhity Royal Palace in Kathmandu into a tourist attraction, throwing its gates open to the public today.

Much of the immense palace, some of which is as old as 200 years, has only been seen by a few non-Royal eyes before. The first phase of the palace's new existence as a museum opens 19 imposing royal bedrooms, salons and banquet halls, and also includes a memorial at the notorious site where 10 royal family members will killed in a shocking shooting eight years ago.

· Nepal ready with guided tour of royal palace [Thaindian News]
· Nepal travel coverage [Jaunted] [

Photo: wikimedia]

Tags: Royal Travel / Culture / Travel News / → All Tags

Thailand Collectively Mourns Princess' Death

The cult of celebrity among King Bhumimbol's family and his people is, believe it or not, stronger than the Germans' love for Barack Obama. This past weekend, Thais from across the country flooded into Bangkok for the funeral procession of the King's big sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana.

The ceremony has been in the planning stages since the Princess died back in January. Gilded platforms held by stern soldiers carried royal and religious figures and the princess' urn through the streets of Bangkok, where hundreds of thousands of citizens, all dressed in black, stood and either dabbed their eyes quietly or openly sobbed to express their heartfelt (and, technically, government mandated) love for the Princess. Many of the attendees camped out at the site in order to get a seat with a good view. Seems they love the royals as much as we loved the Dave Matthews Band in the late 90s.

The event also served as a heck of a headache for those who actually traveled to Bangkok in hopes of seeing some of the palace and temple grounds set beside the Chao Phraya River. These sites are usually open to visitors but were closed off for the events.

And this ornate ceremony is only the beginning. The princess' remains will be moved several more times so various family members can pay their respects and perform the expected religious rites. And, as usual, every newspaper in TV channel will chronicle the royal family’s movement for 120 million pairs of fascinated Thai eyes.

Related Stories:
· Final Journey [Bangkok Post]
· Escape to the Bangkok Film Festival [Jaunted]

[Photo: adaptor plug]