Preparations for the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra have been progressing well.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Royal Cremation Procession, Army Commander-in-Chief Anupong Paojinda has recently called a meeting of all agencies involved. He instructed them to strictly follow the royal traditions in arranging the grand royal cremation procession.

About 2,500 personnel will be selected to join the procession, carrying the royal decorations for Her Royal Highness to the royal crematorium at the Sanam Luang ceremonial site in Bangkok. The Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot, or the Great Victory Chariot, which will be used to carry the royal urn, will lead the procession.

Three periods have been set for the procession rehearsals. In the first period, preliminary rehearsals will be held within agencies concerned in August this year. The second period, scheduled for September and October, will include minor and major rehearsals at the 11th Infantry Regiment, the King’s Guard. The third period will include a full-dress rehearsal in October. A total of 16 types of costumes have been designed for use in the spectacular royal cremation procession.

The whole process of the royal cremation consists of a series of functions, lasting six days in all. It will start on November 14 and will continue until November 19. The royal cremation procession will take place on November 15, when the body of the late Princess is moved from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace compound to the crematorium at Sanam Luang.

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of His Majesty the King, passed away on 2 January 2008 at the age of 84. Her body is lying in state at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. A large number of people have visited the Throne Hall to pay their last respects to the Princess, who is recognized for her lifelong dedication to education and public health in Thailand.

The Government formed several committees and subcommittees in preparation for the royal cremation. According to the Fine Arts Department, construction of the royal crematorium is more than 40 percent completed. The Department has received good cooperation from all agencies involved. It has asked the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to help clear the roads where the royal cremation procession will pass. Nan province in the North has been asked to provide tung, traditional flags in the northern style, to decorate the crematorium compound.

It is expected that all construction work will be completed two weeks before the royal cremation ceremony takes place.