In the long history of the Thai nation state, since the Sukhothai period, the king is not only the leader in the establishment of the kingdom, but also in the nurturing and the perpetuating of art, culture, traditions, and customs, which are the threads that bind the life of the nation and form the national heritage. According to historical records, the oldest royal cremation ceremony in the Thai kingdom was mentioned in Traiphummikatha, or the “Story of Three Planes of Existence,” composed by King Thammaracha I, or King Lithai of the Sukhothai period, around 1345, with a description of a royal cremation for a deceased king.

No records from the early Ayutthaya period have been found concerning a royal cremation ceremony. Chronicles of the middle Ayutthaya period, meanwhile, mentioned only the crematorium for a royal cremation ceremony, without describing the rites and rituals involved. In the late Ayutthaya period, an account of the royal cremation ceremony for King Thai Sa described only the cremation and the procession for the royal relics and ashes, and the royal cremation ceremony for Princess Sudawadi Krom Luang Yothathep, the daughter of King Narai the Great.

In ancient Thai tradition, the monarch is highly revered as a divine king, a tradition influenced by Hinduism. The king is believed to be the reincarnation of a god. When he departs, concluding his mission on earth, he returns to his heavenly dwelling on Mount Meru, where all gods and goddesses live their eternal lives, as stated in the Traiphummikatha. Rites and rituals for the royal remains are held in accordance with age-old traditions, meant to accord honor in the same manner as when the royals lived, with the royal merit- making ceremony in accordance with Buddhist beliefs. The royal remains are moved to be cremated in the crematorium built in the heart of the city. The royal tradition has been upheld by the Thai people through the ages, with modifications to the royal ceremony and the construction of the crematorium in accordance with the changing conditions.

In the Rattanakosin period, the royal cremation ceremony has been largely scaled down, although traditional practices are retained. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) commanded that the rites for his royal cremation be cut back and the crematorium scaled down, sufficient for people to take part in the cremation, not to be as high as in the past. His successor, King Vajiravudh, commanded further scaling down of the crematorium and the merit-making ceremony.

According to ancient court traditions, when a king, a queen, or a high-ranking royal who contributed significantly to the nation passes away, the reigning monarch would arrange for merit-making and cremation ceremonies befitting the deceased’s honor and royal precedence.

The royal remains are placed in a golden urn, set on a golden base put up prominently in a throne hall in the Grand Palace. The base is elaborately decorated, and a multi-tiered white umbrella of state is placed over the urn in accordance with the royal precedence. A Buddhist rite is held daily and every 7, 15, 50, and 100 days.

Moreover, the sounding of the hours is regularly made as the signal to alert court officials on duty. The sounding, with oboe, conch shells, and drums, takes place at 06.00, 12.00, 18.00, 21.00, and 24.00 hr, every day through the mourning period, which may last 100 days, 2 months, 1 month, 15 days, or 7 days, according to the deceased’s honor.

In the religious rites for the remains of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother in 1995, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made known her wish to bring in the Fine Arts Department’s classical music ensemble, known as the Pi Phat Nang Hong ensemble, with a particular melancholic tone, to perform at intervals after the sounding of the hours. The ensemble comprises a Javanese oboe, high-pitch xylophone, low-pitch xylophone, large and small serial gongs, drum, and cymbal.

When the crematorium at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground is completed, ready for the cremation, the royal remains are transferred from the Grand Palace in a rite known as “Ok Phra Men.”

All steps involved in the royal cremation ceremony are defined in the ancient court tradition strictly observed through time.

The royal cremation ceremony involves many steps of elaborate preparations that take months, from the construction of the crematorium to the maintenance and decorating of the royal carriages and palanquins used in the procession to transport the royal urn and paraphernalia, not to mention fresh decorations made for the crematorium, and the banana stalk carvings which must be finished only a few hours before the cremation takes place. Also, rehearsals for the processions are needed for each location and rite.

Thai people in former days held to the three planes of existence in the Buddhist cosmology, with Mount Meru as the center of the universe, surrounded by heavenly abodes and the habitats of humans and animals. The royal crematorium has been modeled as Mount Meru since the Ayutthaya period, surrounded by mythological animal figures, with the processions bringing the royal remains to the crematorium, called Phra Merumas, the Golden Mount Meru, hence the term “Ok Phra Men.”

The royal crematorium has been constructed in different shapes and forms, dictated by age-old traditions and philosophy governing the crematorium for the remains of a king, a warrior, or a royal lady. His Royal Highness Prince Naris, a Great Artist of Siam, assumed that the construction of the crematorium was based on the concept of a huge castle, with supplementary structures in the corners, linked by corridors in layers, resembling Mount Meru surrounded by seven mountain ranges. Even when it was scaled down, the name Meru was retained.

The royal crematorium is on a square base, surrounded by supplementary structures, in the form of a temple hall with corridors, called Thap Kaset, and Sang or Samsang, the four corner pavilions for monks reciting prayers. Opposite the royal crematorium is the royal pavilion for His Majesty the King. The royal crematorium is fully decorated to resemble Mount Meru as it is described in the Traiphummikatha.

The royal cremation, or “Ok Phra Men,” in ancient times was a major national event lasting 3, 5, 7, 9, or 15 days, to suit the circumstances. At present, the ceremony is confined to a set period:

• The first day, the transferring of the royal remains to the royal crematorium, accompanied by the procession of honor;
• The second day, the royal cremation in accordance with ancient court traditions;
• The third day, celebration for the royal relics.

After the royal cremation, the relic and ash collection rite is held in accordance with Buddhist beliefs. The royal relics are then transferred in a procession of honor to the Grand Palace, to be enshrined in a golden urn, put up in a major royal hall, with a royal merit-making ceremony held, while the royal ashes are enshrined at a Buddhist shrine in a royal temple in accordance with the royal tradition.

In the royal cremation ceremony for the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, the procession of honor has been arranged into six processions, covering four days:

1. The Royal Cremation Day
   (Saturday, 15 November 2008)
   Three processions are arranged:
   
   
   • First procession, transferring the royal urn containing the Princess’ remains upon the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to the Royal Great Victory Carriage in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon, on the route from Si Sunthon Gate on Maha Rat Road, along Thai Wang and Sanam Chai Roads.
     
     
   • Second procession, transferring the royal urn upon the Royal Great Victory Carriage from in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon to the royal crematorium, on the route from in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon along Sanam Chai and Ratchadamnoen Nai Roads into Sanam Luang.
     
     
   • Third procession, transferring the royal urn to the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles, making three rounds anti-clockwise around the crematorium, and placing the royal urn on the crematorium.
     
     
2. Relic and Ash Collection, to Be Transferred Back to the Grand Palace
   (Sunday, 16 November 2008)
   One procession is arranged:
   
   
   • Fourth procession, transferring the royal urn containing the royal relics upon the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles, and the royal ashes upon the Royal Palanquin with Two Poles on the route from the central road on Sanam Luang along Ratchadamnoen Nai and Na Phra Lan Roads into Wiset Chaisi Gate, the Grand Palace.
     
     
3. Enshrining the Relics in the Heavenly Abode
   (Tuesday, 18 November 2008)
   One procession is arranged:
   
   
   • Fifth procession, transferring the royal urn containing the relics upon the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles on the route from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
     
     
4. Enshrining the Ashes
   (Wednesday, 19 November 2008)
   One procession is arranged:
   
   
   • Sixth procession, transferring the royal ashes from Phra Si Rattana Chedi, in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, on a royal car, to be enshrined at the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram, on the route from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha through Wiset Chaisi Gate, along Na Phra Lan, Sanam Chai, Kanlayanamaitri, Atsadang, and Ratchabophit Roads.

His Majesty the King arrives and lights the joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal remains. He then presents commemorative fans for the royal cremation ceremony to the chief titled monk, Somdet Phra Racha Khana, who gives a sermon, and 30 titled monks, who chant prayers as merits to the deceased, 84 Buddhist monks, equaling the age of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, and 20 Chinese and Vietnamese monks. His Majesty also presents gifts and saffron robes to the monks. Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese monks chant prayers for the deceased. His Majesty lights the joss sticks and candles in front of the monks. A prayer is said, after which His Majesty then departs.

The royal urn is placed in the western wing of Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, under the seven-tiered white umbrella of state, the hanging royal umbrella granted by His Majesty the King to honor the Princess, in place of the five-tiered white umbrella of state in accordance with her order of precedence.

Behind the royal urn is the royal casket containing the remains of the Princess. The casket is of golden teak, in a combined Louis and traditional Thai style, in rose pattern.

The inner urn, called Phra Kot Long Nai, is cast in iron and plated in gold. The outer urn, or Phra Long Thong Yai (the Great Outer Golden Urn), is decorated in accordance with the royal tradition, varied to befit the rank of the deceased. The royal urn for the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana was newly built at His Majesty the King’s command, with decorations granted specifically in the royal tradition. The top of the outer urn is covered with a diamond bouquet, the artistic pattern on the cover decorated with diamond flowers, called cover flowers, and the opening of the octagonal outer urn with diamond ornaments, with silver tassels at intervals. Diamond flowers also decorate the tapering part of the urn, known as the waist.

The royal urn is placed upon the Suwan Benchadon Royal Stand, elaborately carved and decorated with white gems. Golden artificial floral offerings and flower vases are placed on the royal stand. The corners of each layer of the royal stand are decorated with golden five-tiered umbrellas on carved poles, 12 in number. The Suwan Benchadon Royal Stand is placed on a gilded wooden base, Phra Thaen Thong Sai, surrounded by royal regalia, Bangsaek, and Bangsun. On the front, the royal decorations and royal utensils are placed to the right, with royal offerings at both corners. On the royal stand to the front are placed the golden and glass floral offerings, with the royal floral offering and a low table for Their Majesties the King and Queen to pay deep respect to the royal remains. A band of cloth links the shrine to the royal urn with an edge kept under a pedestal tray on the gilded base, ready for the religious rite performed for the deceased. To the left front of the royal urn is a royal portrait of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana in bright green silk Thai costume, wearing a yellow sash of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri, in a large frame decorated with violet flowers.

By His Majesty the King’s command, the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra were installed at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall on Wednesday, 2 January 2008, after the royal bathing ceremony was performed for the royal remains by Their Majesties the King and Queen and members of the Royal Family at Phiman Rattaya Hall, within the Grand Palace. Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall was built in the reign of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok the Great, Rama I, the founder of the Royal House of Chakri.

Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall is one of two important buildings admired as gems of Thai architecture from the Rattanakosin period, and the only throne hall of typical Thai style in the Grand Palace compound. It was built on the site of the original Indrabhisek Throne Hall, which was struck by a thunderbolt and destroyed by fire. The Throne Hall is situated in the middle section of the Grand Palace. In front of the Throne Hall, to the west is Phiman Rattaya Hall, the Left and the Right Chambers, and a satellite structure, Ruean Chan, which continues into the Inner Section in the back. The Throne Hall has a graceful spire, with a four-sided sloping roof in four descending stages. It is built in brick and stucco, with wooden roof structures and decorations. The front balcony has a royal seat permanently set up in the middle, as a site where a grand assembly is held in the presence of the king or where an audience is granted to the general public on significant occasions.

Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall has been used as the site for various important royal ceremonies from the beginning, as the site for daily audiences granted by King Rama I, and the grand audience granted by King Rama VI, on the occasion of his Coronation Ceremony. In the present reign, the granting of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao royal decorations on Coronation Day takes place in this Throne Hall.

The tradition establishing Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall as the place where the bodies of the deceased monarchs and high-ranking royals are laid in state began with King Rama I in 1810. Thereafter, the royal remains of the Dowager Queen Savang Vadhana, His Majesty’s grandmother, Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni of the Seventh Reign, and Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, were placed here in the Throne Hall.

16.30 hr
Symbolic royal cremation

22.00 hr
Actual royal cremation

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal remains, and lights joss sticks and candles to pay tribute to the Buddha image of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana’s day of birth. He then offers the saffron robes before moving the royal urn. Thirty titled Buddhist monks chant prayers for the deceased. The Crown Prince then lets officials take the outer urn apart and move the inner urn from the Suwan Benchadon Royal Stand to be placed on the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles at the territorial wall gate of Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, accompanied by His Royal Highness up to the open space of Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall on the north balcony. The royal urn is transferred upon the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles from the Grand Palace, with the procession of honor to the Royal Great Victory Carriage in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon. His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in accompanying the royal urn to the Elevated Royal Hall in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon. Twenty sets of saffron robes are offered by the Crown Prince and the Princess at the rear of a special inclined plane with the railings carved as the Great Serpent, or Kroen Bandai Nak, with four chapters of five monks chanting prayers for the deceased. The Great Outer Golden Urn is placed on the roofed throne on the Royal Great Victory Carriage. The procession then proceeds to transfer the royal urn to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang.

His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in accompanying the royal urn from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to perform the rites at the Royal Great Victory Carriage in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon.

The troops and the procession of honor accompany the royal urn into the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The Royal Great Victory Carriage halts at the northern gateway of the royal crematorium. The royal urn is lowered onto the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles by the Great Serpent inclined plane. A procession of honor is formed to accompany the Golden Palanquin into the ceremonial ground to make three anti-clockwise rounds of the royal crematorium. In the procession are His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, Princess Ubol Ratana, Thanpuying Dasanavalaya Sorasongkram, the daughter of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, and family, along with members of the Royal Family, who follow the royal urn to the royal crematorium. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and members of the Royal Family proceed to the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion. The royal urn on the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles is drawn up by means of the Great Serpent inclined plane to be placed on the pyre. The sandalwood urn is assembled behind the screen and the curtain, which are opened at the completion. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn comes up to the crematorium, lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal remains. He then proceeds to the royal car and departs.

Transferring the royal urn upon the Royal Great Victory Carriage from in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang.

The procession is formed in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon along Sanam Chai Road with the Royal Great Victory Carriage set in front of the Territorial Defense Department.

Transferring the royal urn to the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles to make three anti-clockwise rounds of the royal crematorium, before setting the royal urn on the crematorium.

The procession is formed at the entrance to the crematorium.

When the procession moves from in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon to the destination, Sanam Luang, the third procession will use the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles to transfer the royal urn, led by the Lotus Petal Royal Palanquin bearing a Buddhist monk.

His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in accompanying the royal urn on the rounds of the royal crematorium.

The Royal Cremation
16.30 hr

His Majesty the King arrives at the Royal Merit- Making Pavilion.

His Majesty lights joss sticks and candles at the Buddhist shrine, and graciously allows His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to proceed to the royal crematorium to light candles at the royal offerings to the royal remains. The chief titled monk (Somdet Phra Racha Khana) gives a sermon, and 50 titled monks chant blessings. His Royal Highness presents gifts to the chief titled monk and presents saffron robes to the monks who chant prayers.

Their Majesties the King and Queen proceed to the royal crematorium and perform the symbolic cremation, as court musicians sound their instruments. Guards of honor from the three armed forces salute, with taps played on a bugle, and 21 shots fired from cannons in honor of the occasion.

Their Majesties the King and Queen take their seats at the front balcony of the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion.

22.00 hr

His Majesty the King arrives at the Royal Merit- Making Pavilion.

His Majesty the King presents saffron robes to 30 monks who chant prayers for the deceased. Their Majesties the King and Queen proceed to the royal crematorium, and perform the actual cremation. Their Majesties take their seats at the front balcony of the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion. Members of the Royal Family and high-ranking officials in the royal service carry out the cremation of the royal remains. After the completion of the royal cremation, Their Majesties the King and Queen proceed to the royal crematorium and present saffron robes at the pyre. A chapter of 10 monks chants prayers for the deceased. Their Majesties the King and Queen depart.

The Offering of Sandalwood Flowers by the People
At Floral Niches at the Sanam Luang Ceremonial Site

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has prepared about 250,000 traditional sandalwood flowers to be distributed to members of the public, and invited donations in cash and in kind. Sandalwood flowers are offered by the people at eight floral niches at the Sanam Luang ceremonial site and the neighborhood, namely four niches in Sanam Luang on the northern side, and one each in front of the City Pillar Shrine, on the pavement to the opposite of the Statue of the Goddess of the Earth, on the pavement of Ratchadamnoen Road to the side of the Rattanakosin Hotel, and in front of the Government Lottery Office.

Wat Chana Songkhram School and Wat Mahathat School are designated as the collection sites for sandalwood flowers offered by the people, to be burnt at Wat Makut Kasattriyaram following the actual royal cremation.

At Various Temples in Bangkok

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has assigned 46 khet, or districts, to select temples where sandalwood flowers are to be offered, not including districts in the neighborhood of Sanam Luang, that is, Phra Nakhon, Dusit, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, and Samphanthawong. At each temple selected for the occasion, 10,000 sandalwood flowers are prepared to be distributed to the people. Also, donations in cash and in kind are invited. Sandalwood flowers are offered at these temples from 16.30 hr, to be burnt from 22.00 hr onwards.

At Various Temples in the Provinces

The Ministry of Interior has assigned various provinces and districts to select temples and other appropriate places where sandalwood flowers are to be offered during the time of the royal cremation at Sanam Luang. A merit-making ceremony dedicated to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra takes place at 14.30 hr, while public performances for the Ok Phra Men ceremony begin at 19.30 hr in various provinces. The governor or chief district officer of each province presides over the offering of sandalwood flowers, to be burnt from 22.00 hr onwards, following the actual royal cremation ceremony.

Public Performances for the Ok Phra Men Ceremony
15-16 November 2008
At the open air stage within the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground

Stage performances for the Ok Phra Men Ceremony are an age-old tradition, meant for the general public and to mark the ending of an official mourning period at the same time. They also manifest the power of the reigning monarch. Records show that public performances for the occasion include masked plays, stage plays, puppetry, shadow plays, Chinese opera, Mon dance, Thep Thong dance, stunt shows, acrobatics, and others.

In preparing for public performances for the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, the Fine Arts Department has followed the tradition set by the Royal Cremation Ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, in 1996, with performances on three stages:

Stage 1, great shadow plays and masked plays based on the Ramakian (the Thai version of the Indian epic Ramayana), from 19.00 hr on November 15 to 06.00 hr on November 16, about 11 hours, in three segments:

1. Great shadow play, overture, and performances on the reincarnation of Lord Rama;
2. Starting around 23.00 hr on November 15, masked plays of different fighting episodes from the Ramakian;
3. Masked plays of Rama-Demon battles and the final episode of the Ramakian.

Stage 2, orchestras invited to join the event:

1. Thailand Youth Symphony Orchestra (TYO) under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, 80 members, at 19.00-20.00 hr on November 15;
2. Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra (CUSO), under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, 80 members, at 20.00-21.30 hr on November 15;
3. National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), under the Office of the Performing Arts, Fine Arts Department, 106 members, from 23.00 hr (November 15) to 01.00 hr (November 16);
4. Harp Chamber Orchestra, comprising artists from the Harp Center of Tamnak Prathom Heritage Home, 10 members, at 01.30-02.00 hr on November 16;
5. Combined Civil, Police, and Military Orchestra, 80 members, during 02.30-04.30 hr on November 16.

Stage 3, with three kinds of performances:

1. Puppetry, by the Office of the Performing Arts, Fine Arts Department, performing three episodes of Phra Aphai Mani, at 19.00-21.30 hr on November 15.
2. Performances by the Traditional Thai Puppet Theater (Joe Louis) under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, on “The Birth of Ganesha,” at 23.00-24.00 hr on November 15;
3. Traditional theatrical performances in six episodes, by the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, from 24.00 hr on November 15 to 03.00 hr on November 16.

The Royal Crematorium (Phra Men)

The royal crematorium for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana is built in the form of a religious structure with a wooden top, facing the west. It is a crematorium in the shape of a four-sided castle, with modified corners, decorated at the top with a seven-tiered white umbrella of state. The structure measures 39 meters from the base to the top of the royal umbrella, 31.80 meters in width, and 39.80 meters in length, built of wood, with an inner steel structure, decorated in patterns with a special paper plated with metal and glazed in gold. The base is in two levels, equipped with stairs on four sides. The first level, known as the undulating base, is decorated with the figures of heavenly beings in a kneeling position, holding Bangsaek (ceremonial fans made from cloth, leaf-shaped and embroidered with gold, with a handle) in their hands. Lamps are in the middle, decorated along the backrest of the undulating base. Inside are figures of heavenly beings standing and holding royal paraphernalia. The second level, called the crematorium base, is in a lion’s leg shape, with stairs leading up from the first level from all four directions.

At the center of the large central hall is the pyre for the setting up of the royal urn to be cremated. To the north of the pyre is the rail jutting out of the balcony as an inclined bridge for the moving of the royal urn from the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles into the crematorium.

The crematorium is decorated with special paper on the inside and outside, with gold as the main tone, and supplemented by varied soft tones, befitting the tenderness and grace seen in the traits and behavior of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra.

Group Captain Arvuth Ngoenchuklin, Former Director- General of the Fine Arts Department, and Chairman of the Working Group on the Construction of the Royal Crematorium, Buildings and Other Related Structures, Royal Carriages, and Palanquins, has been entrusted with the design of the Royal Crematorium for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra.

The Royal Merit-Making Pavilion (Phra Thinang Songtham)

The Royal Merit-Making Pavilion is an open hall, located to the west of the royal crematorium. It is the site where His Majesty the King takes his seat to listen to prayers and performs merit-making rites for the Ok Phra Men Ceremony, with space for His Majesty the King to grant audiences to members of the Royal Family, the privy council, and the Cabinet, military and civilian senior officials, and members of parliament, as well as the diplomatic corps. Inside the pavilion are places for a chapter of monks and a seat for a monk who gives sermons. The royal seats are set up at the front for Their Majesties the King and Queen, while the northern and southern balconies are reserved for officials in attendance.

The Urn Resting Room (Ho Plueang)

Located to the east of the royal crematorium’s back balcony, the small structure within the ceremonial area faces the royal crematorium. It is a fully enclosed black building in Thai style, used to store the royal urn after the royal remains are removed and placed on the pyre, as well as various items used in the cremation ceremony such as wood charcoal, sandalwood flowers, and a water bowl.

The Four Corner Pavilions for Monks (Sang or Samsang)

The structures called Sang or Samsang comprise four rectangular buildings at four corners of the royal crematorium base. They are meant for monks who chant prayers at the ceremony from the time the royal urn is placed on the pyre until His Majesty the King performs the cremation ceremony. Four shifts of monks are employed for the task.

Pavilions Describing the Boundary of the Ceremonial Site (Thap Kaset)

The four open pavilions in Thai style called Thap Kaset are built next to the ceremonial fence, for the use of government officials attending the prayers at the ceremony.

The Government Officials’ Pavilions (Sala Luk Khun)

The seven open pavilions, known as Sala Luk Khun, are built to the north and the south of the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion, meant for officials in attendance.

The Court Officials’ Pavilions (Thim)

The eight open pavilions in the style of a tent, called Thim, are built next to the ceremonial fence on the four directions, one each on the north and the south, and two each on the east and the west, meant for officials, monks, and court doctors on duty. They are also the location of musical instruments used in the ceremony.

The Ceremonial Fence (Ratchawat)

The ceremonial fence, or Ratchawat, marks the area around the royal crematorium on all sides.

The Elevated Royal Halls (Phlapphla Yok)

There are three elevated royal halls, located outside the ceremonial fence at Sanam Luang on the north, in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon, and in front of Sutthaisawan Prasat Hall.

The one at Sanam Luang is for His Majesty the King’s use in receiving the royal remains from the royal carriage.

The second one, in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon, is reserved for His Majesty the King in placing the royal remains onto the royal carriage.

The third one, in front of Sutthaisawan Prasat Hall, is for female royals to view the procession and pay homage to the royal remains.

The Royal Mounting Platform (Koei)

The royal mounting platform is set in front of the territorial wall gate to the west of Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, with three-step stairs on all sides. The stairs on the west are for the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles, used for the moving of the royal urn containing the royal remains to be placed on the palanquin; the stairs on the east are for the moving of the royal urn containing the royal remains onto the platform; while those on the north and the south are for court officials on duty.

Umbrella of State

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra was a celestial princess by birth, and was thus entitled to the five-tiered white umbrella of state over the royal urn as royal regalia. During the royal merit-making ceremony marking the seventh day after her demise, His Majesty the King, in recognition of Her Royal Highness’ great contribution to the country, commanded that a higher rank be accorded to Her Royal Highness, with a seven-tiered white umbrella of state to be placed over the royal urn containing her royal remains.

Seven-Tiered White Umbrella of State

The seven-tiered white umbrella of state is reserved for a king before a royal coronation ceremony is performed, and for a queen, a royal mother, and a crown prince. It is made of white cloth in seven tiers, each decorated with three levels of golden frills, the last one with floral hangings. The umbrella of state is used as decoration on various occasions, at the discretion of the king:

• Over the royal seat on elephant-back;
• Over the royal octagonal throne used in the royal coronation ceremony;
• Formerly placed over the royal throne upon which the king received the royal regalia in the royal coronation ceremony (the present king, however, used the nine-tiered white umbrella of state instead);
• Hung over the royal urn at the ceremony for the royal remains;
• Placed at the top of the royal crematorium;
• To be placed over the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles, in the procession to transfer the royal remains;
• To be placed over the inclined plane when the royal urn containing the royal remains is removed from the Royal Great Victory Carriage and in transferring the royal remains to the royal crematorium;
• To be hung over the pyre at the cremation and during the relic and ash collection.

At Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, where the royal urn containing the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra has been put up, the royal utensils are placed in front of the gilded base to the left, and the royal decorations and paraphernalia of her ranks, both Thai and foreign, and medals of honor on the right, with the following on display:

• The betel nut tray, lacquered and gilded, with all belongings;
• The small royal spittoon, lacquered and gilded;
• The betel nut box, lacquered and gilded, with the supporting tray;]
• The royal water jar, lacquered and gilded, with the supporting tray;
• The cosmetics tray, with the crescent comb and fine comb in embroidered cases, and a lacquered and gilded partitioned box for cosmetics;
• The wire for face towels, lacquered and gilded, styled as two King Nagas with intertwined bodies as the pole, and the heads turning left and right as cloth lines, complete with two neatly pleated face towels;
• A looking glass in a lacquered and gilded frame, styled as a King Naga winding around the glass, topped with a radiating royal crown.

On the right front, two royal uniforms are laid, wrapped in embroidered cloth. To the left is her Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer uniform, an informal dress on the right, and a naval uniform of the rank of an admiral in the middle.

Royal decorations displayed on the group table include the following:

1. The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri;
2. The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems;
3. The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (First Class);
4. The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Special Class);
5. The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand;
6. The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn (First Class);
7. The Rama VI Boy Scout Citation Medal (Special Class);
8. King Ananda Mahidol’s Royal Cypher Medal (First Class);
9. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Cypher Medal, (First Class);
10. Grand Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, from the French Republic;
11. Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Merite, from the French Republic
12. Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, from the French Republic;
13. Gold Medal “Victor Hugo” from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

The Royal Great Victory Carriage (Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot)

Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot, the Royal Great Victory Carriage, was built in the reign of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok the Great, Rama I, for the royal cremation of his father in 1795. It is a large royal carriage, 11.20 meters high and 15.30 meters long, requiring as many as 216 strong men to pull it.

In 1799, when the elder sister of King Rama I, Her Royal Highness Princess Krom Phra Thep Sudawadi, died, the King commanded that the royal urns containing his sister’s royal remains be carried to the royal crematorium upon the Royal Great Victory Carriage again. Since then, the royal carriage has been used to carry the royal remains of the king.

The Royal Great Victory Carriage has deteriorated with time, and has occasionally been repaired and maintained, such as in the reign of King Vajiravudh, Rama VI, when the royal carriage was not only renovated, but also strengthened with the addition of wheels to bear the weight of the carriage body, the roofed throne, and the royal urn.

The Fine Arts Department recognized the need to facilitate the mobilization of the royal carriage in the ceremonial procession, and to beautify the royal carriage with Thai craftsmanship. In repairing and strengthening the royal carriage, efforts were made to reduce the weight of the royal carriage, while retaining the magnificence of traditional Thai art. This was achieved in the renovation in 1987.

The Royal Great Victory Carriage has been built following the concept of the Buddhist cosmology, in which Mount Meru is believed to be the epicenter of the universe and the abode of the god Indra, the head of heavenly beings. The royal carriage is modeled after the mythological Mount Meru, with the roofed throne as its symbol. The square-based structure upon which the royal urn is placed is open on all sides, with a sloping roof in three descending stages, elaborately carved and decorated.

The Small Carriage (Ratcharot Noi)

Ratcharot Noi, or the Small Carriage, has been made in the same manner, with a carved body, lacquered and gilded and decorated with mirrors. The jutting beams are carved as King Naga. A roofed throne is placed on the royal carriage as well, but of a lesser size. The Small Carriage is for His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch to sit upon as he recites prayers in the procession.

Three Small Carriages were built in the reign of King Rama I, along with the Royal Great Victory Carriage, and it was first used in 1796:

• The Small Carriage for the titled monk who leads the procession and recites the holy scriptures. It is 6.84 meters high and 12.70 meters long;
• The Small Carriage for King Rama I, who held a thread tied to the royal urn containing the royal remains of his royal father for the royal cremation at the ceremonial ground at Sanam Luang in 1796. It is 6.30 meters high and 12.95 meters long;
• The Small Carriage for Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Maha Surasinghanat, King Rama I’s younger brother, who spread popped rice and flowers in the cremation ceremony for their father. It was later used by senior royals spreading alms for the people on the way to the royal crematorium. It is 6.39 meters high and 12.07 meters long.

The three carriages are made of wood, carved in traditional Thai patterns, painted red, gilded, and decorated with mirrors. They resemble the major royal carriages, with beams styled as King Naga, and with roofed thrones, but on a smaller scale.

The Golden Palanquin with Three Poles (Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan)

Phra Yannamas Sam Lam Khan, the Golden Palanquin with Three Poles, is used to transfer the royal urn containing the royal remains. It is a large palanquin made of carved wood, gilded, and decorated with mirrors. It has a four-tiered base with modified corners on the uppermost tier, with a border plate carved and decorated with mirrors, except in the front, the back, and the jutting niches. The golden palanquin is fixed to three carrying poles. On the base, a large octagonal plank is set, with four hooks ready to receive the royal urn. It is borne with three poles by two shifts of 60 strong men. The first golden palanquin was built in the reign of King Rama I; it was used to transfer the royal urn containing the royal remains of the monarch in a four-line royal procession from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, where the royal remains were placed upon the Royal Great Victory Carriage in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon, and to move the royal urn containing the royal remains on three anti-clockwise rounds of the royal crematorium.

The Royal Palanquin with Four Poles (Rachentharayan)

Rachentharayan, or the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles, with a wooden body in modified corners and a five-layer roof, is made of carved and gilded wood, and carried on four poles by 56 strong men. The palanquin measure 4.15 meters from the base to the top. The royal palanquin is used by the monarch in a grand procession known as the four-line procession, such as when the king proceeds from the royal residence in the Grand Palace to pay homage to the Emerald Buddha on the occasion of the Royal Coronation Ceremony, as well as in transferring the royal urn containing the royal remains of the king or the queen from the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang into the Grand Palace.

The Royal Palanquin with Two Poles (Phra Wo Siwikakan)

Phra Wo Siwikakan, or the Royal Palanquin with Two Poles, has been used by female royals and titled monks. It is an open seat with four poles, with curtains on all poles. The roof is fully decorated with finials and ridges, carved and gilded, with a backrest and border on all sides, except in the front. Rattan carrying racks are attached to the palanquin, for eight bearers. Apart from its use in royal ceremonies, the royal palanquin is also used to transfer the royal ashes from the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang into the Grand Palace.

The Lotus Petal Royal Palanquin (Phra Saliang Klip Bua)

The Lotus Petal Royal Palanquin is used for the titled monk reciting the holy scripture leading the procession of honor when the royal remains are transferred from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace to the Royal Great Victory Carriage in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon, and in leading the procession of honor to convey the royal remains on three anti-clockwise rounds of the royal crematorium.

The Sandalwood Royal Urn

The sandalwood royal urn is made of fragrant sandalwood, elaborately carved in accordance with the royal tradition. Patterns used in the creation of the sandalwood royal urn are traditional artistic, geometric, and floral patterns, signifying the ranks and honors of the royal remains. Craftsmen create and enlarge the designs before carving the fragrant sandalwood, processed into thin chips that will decorate the prepared royal urn structure. In making the sandalwood royal urn for the cremation of the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, the Fine Arts Department has assigned the Fine Arts Group, Office of Traditional Arts, with Mr. Niyom Klinbuppha as the chief, to conduct the construction of the sandalwood royal urn at the royal crematorium site at Sanam Luang and at the Office of Traditional Arts on Buddhamonthon Route 5, Nakhon Pathom province.

The fragrant sandalwood used to build the royal urn was obtained from a forest in Kui Buri district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, from three sandalwood trees that had already died naturally. Before taking the sandalwood trees from the forest, Mr. Prasong Pitoonkitcha, Provincial Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, performed a rite to ask for permission from holy spirits to take wood from Kui Buri district to be used in a major national function.

Mr. Niyom Klinbuppha, Chief of the Fine Arts Group, Office of Traditional Arts, Fine Arts Department, said that the sandalwood royal urn for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra was modeled after the sandalwood royal urn for Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, with certain differences in patterns, keeping to age-old court tradition and the principles of high-level fine arts created in Thailand.

The Fire Screen

The fire screen, or Chak Bang Phloeng, refers to the screen put up in the royal cremation ceremony on the royal crematorium; it is a folding screen put up at the poles of the royal crematorium on all four sides. When in use, the screen is extended to cover the pyre. The fire screen is reserved for the remains in urns only.

The fire screen for the royal crematorium comprises screens in pairs, two on each side in the four directions. For each cremation, once craftsmen define the size to suit the royal crematorium, artists start designing. It has been a tradition that for a normal royal crematorium or remains of high-ranking officials, a vine pattern is used, while for the golden royal crematorium, or the royal crematorium for royal family members, a celestial scene is used as the pattern. Architects or craftsmen then design the patterns to decorate the top part of the screen, each resembling a heavenly abode.

For the fire screen on the royal crematorium of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, the Fine Arts Department assigned the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute as the responsible agency. Artists employed acrylic on canvas and glazed the paintings with fixative to make them more durable.

The royal initials, GV, of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana are featured on the front of the screen, with similar decorative patterns on 16 panels. The front and the middle parts on the north and the south are painted with heavenly beings, male and female, holding royal regalia, while the front and the middle parts on the east and the west feature heavenly beings holding musical instruments. The paintings of heavenly beings, totaling 16, on four sides, four frames each, differ in tones, accessories, weight, shadow, and elaborate decorative patterns. They represent celestial phenomena in accordance with ancient beliefs held since the Ayutthaya period. The front and lower part feature an artistic flower called Kaeo Galya, the flower of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. The floral pattern is on the back of the screen in all 16 frames, designed to correspond with the Kaeo Galya flower on the front.

In the past, there were no principles governing the paintings on the fire screen, as the back of the fire screen is of less importance, since it is not seen.

Court officials present food offerings to monks chanting prayers for the shift, and to officials on duty assembling the royal relics and ashes and covering all the items with a piece of cloth.

08.00 hr

Their Majesties the King and Queen arrive at the Royal Merit-Making Hall. His Majesty comes up to the royal crematorium. Officials on duty remove the cloth covering the royal relics and ashes.

His Majesty the King lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal relics and sprinkles consecrated water over the royal relics and ashes. Officials present the cloth to cover the relics. His Majesty lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal relics and pays homage to Buddhist monks. He then presents them with saffron robes. Buddhist monks chant prayers for the deceased. Officials remove the cloth. His Majesty takes up the royal relics and sprinkles aromatic water over them, before placing them in the lacquered and gilded royal urn, encrusted with diamonds. His Majesty then allows officials to take the royal urn containing the royal relics from the royal crematorium to the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen. His Majesty takes his seat in front of the monks’ place. Officials take the royal urn containing the royal relics to be placed over a portable throne over a layered royal seat. Their Majesties the King and Queen light joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal relics. His Majesty the King presents sets of food offerings to six Buddhist monks. Thereafter, His Majesty the King presents mementos for the royal cremation ceremony to 30 monks, who chant blessings and then take leave. Another chapter of 30 monks take their seats and chant blessings for the deceased. His Majesty the King presents saffron robes to the monks and listens to prayers for the relics. His Majesty expresses his appreciation. The monks chant blessings and take leave. A procession of honor is formed to transfer the royal relics and royal ashes into the Grand Palace. Officials bring the royal urn containing the royal relics and place it on the portable throne, upon the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles, and transfer the royal ashes to the Royal Palanquin with Two Poles. His Majesty the King departs from the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion by a royal car to wait for the procession at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. His Majesty assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in accompanying the royal relics and royal ashes from the royal crematorium into the Grand Palace. The procession of honor takes the royal relics and royal ashes into the Temple of the Emerald Buddha through the back gate, equipped with a mounting platform. The royal ashes are placed in Phra Si Rattana Chedi. The procession of honor then brings the royal urn containing the royal relics through Phiman Chaisi Gate and halts the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles at the mounting platform in front of Aphon Phimok Prasat Royal Hall.

His Majesty the King waits for the arrival of the royal urn at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Officials bring the royal urn containing the royal relics from the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles into Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and put the royal urn upon the movable throne on a golden layered base. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn attend His Majesty at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. After officials set up the royal urn containing the royal relics, Their Majesties the King and Queen light joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal relics and then depart.

16.30 hr
The royal merit-making ceremony for the royal relics

Court officials make preparations for the royal merit-making ceremony for the royal relics.

Their Majesties the King and Queen arrive at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. They light joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal relics of the royal parents set up on the mother-of-pearl inlaid throne under the nine-tiered white umbrella of state. They then light joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, set up on the Suwan Benchadon Royal Stand. They next light joss sticks and candles at the Buddha images of the days of birth of the royal parents and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. A chapter of 10 monks chant prayers. His Majesty the King presents saffron robes to 30 monks and listens to prayers for the royal relics. His Majesty then lights joss sticks and candles in front of the holy scripture and receives the Five Precepts. The chief titled monk gives a sermon and expresses appreciation at the pulpit. A chapter of four monks responds. His Majesty the King presents gifts and saffron robes to the monk who gave the sermon and the chapter of monks. Prayers are chanted for the royal relics of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. The monks chant blessings. His Majesty then presents 30 sets of saffron robes to 30 monks. Prayers are chanted for the royal relics of the royal parents brought out in the royal merit-making ceremony. His Majesty the King then departs.

10.30 hr
Buddhist rite, offering food to monks

The Enshrinement of the Royal Relics in the Heavenly Abode in Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall

His Majesty the King arrives at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

He lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the royal relics of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. He then lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the Buddha image of the day of birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. Thirty Buddhist monks who chanted prayers on the previous day give blessings. His Majesty the King presents food to monks. Thereafter, His Majesty presents gifts to monks, who chant blessings and take their leave. His Majesty lights joss sticks and candles at the shrine and receives the Five Precepts. The chief titled monk gives a sermon. His Majesty expresses his appreciation. A chapter of five monks makes a response. His Majesty presents offerings as tributes to the sermon. He then presents saffron robes to the titled monk who gives a sermon and to the chapter of five monks in the ceremony. Monks chant prayers and blessings and take leave. Eighty-four Buddhist monks, equaling the age of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, take seats and chant prayers for the deceased. His Majesty presents saffron robes to all monks. Each round of monks take their leave. His Majesty then departs.

Following the function, the royal urn containing the royal relics is transferred to be enshrined in the heavenly abode in Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Officials bring the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles to Aphon Phimok Prasat Royal Hall. The procession of honor is formed to bring the royal urn containing the royal relics. His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in accompanying the royal urn containing the royal relics to be enshrined in the heavenly abode in Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in accompanying the royal urn containing the royal relics to Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

The Heavenly Abode in Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall

The heavenly abode where the royal urn containing the royal relics of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra is enshrined is the golden heavenly abode within the Hall of the Royal Relics on the upper floor of the Middle Chakri Hall. In the book The Maha Prasat and Phra Ratchamonthian in the Grand Palace, Mom Ratchawong Saengsuriya Ladavalya described the Hall of the Royal Relics as having an interior fully decorated with incomparably exquisite Thai traditional patterns. The walls are plain, with no paintings or patterns. But the skirting is elaborately carved and decorated. So are the top part of the wall and the ceiling, the door, and window frames.

The walls on the east, the west, and the south are built as glass chambers, painted in golden patterns corresponding with the woodcarvings. The southern glass chamber is the heavenly abode where the royal relics of King Rama IV, King Rama V, and the Queens of both reigns are enshrined. The chamber on the east side is where the royal relics of King Rama VI, King Rama VII, and King Rama VIII are enshrined. The chamber on the west houses Buddha images.

16.30 hr
The enshrinement of the royal ashes

A cavalry troop leads and accompanies the motorcade bringing the royal ashes from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The royal car leaves from the Grand Palace through Wiset Chaisi Gate to Wat Ratchabophit, led by a cavalry troop. His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in traveling by the royal car bringing the royal ashes into Ratchabophit Road through the temple gate to the prayer hall. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offerings to the presiding Buddha, Phra Buddha Angkhirot. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince presents royal offerings to pay homage to the royal ashes of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni of the Seventh Reign, and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. He presents saffron robes to 30 Buddhist monks. Prayers are chanted for the deceased. Officials take the case containing the royal ashes of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra to the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn following.

17.30 hr

Their Majesties the King and Queen arrive at the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, the Royal Cemetery at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram. His Majesty enshrines the royal ashes at the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial and lays a wreath. His Majesty then lights joss sticks and candles at the royal offering to pay homage to the royal ashes and then departs.

His Majesty the King assigns His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to accompany the royal ashes in the royal car.

Their Majesties the King and the Queen proceed to the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, the Royal Cemetery at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram. His Majesty enshrines the royal ashes at the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial.