Royal cremation of "Princess Mother" in November

November 14, 2008

November 19, 2008

It’s doubtful if the people of any other nation hold their royal family in such high esteem and respect as the people of Thailand.

When news of the death of Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, Princess of Narathiwat, was announced on January 2nd this year, the nation as a whole was immediately plunged into mourning.

Political and religious differences were put aside and the nation as one – from the beer bars of tourist hot spots such as Pattaya and Koh Samui to the conservative Northern cities of Lamphun and Lampang – took on a somber and muted feeling at the passing of the beloved Princess.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand -the worlds longest reigning monarch

An early portrait of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana

Princess Galyani Vadhana - highly respected by Thai people

The Thai Mahapichai Ratcharot royal chariot

The Thai royal chariot Phra Vachandra Ratcharot

The Thai royal chariot Phra Ratcharot Noi. Photo courtesy NM Krung.

In the first six days after her death more than 118,000 people thronged the Grand Palace to sign the condolences book.

In every province throughout Thailand ordinary Thai’s queued to do the same thing.

The funeral of the late princess will take place between November 14th and 19th at Sanam Luang Park in Bangkok, with a budget of Bt300 million (about $US8.8 million) being set aside for the ceremony.

The first four days of the ceremony are associated with the cremation, while the latter two with the collection and entombment of the ashes and royal relics.

There will be six grand processions for the four days of the cremation (November 15, 16, 18, and 19) ceremony involving 3,294 soldiers and three of royal chariots: Phra Maha Pichai Ratcharot, or Great Victory Chariot (มหาพิชัยราชรถ), Phra Wetchayanta Ratcharot (พระเวชยันตราชรถ) and Phra Ratcharot Noi, or Little Charriot (ราชรถน้อย).

These magnificent 200-year-old chariots have undergone a full restoration since the death of the princess by a team of Thai artisans skilled in traditional construction techniques.

The Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot is 11.2 meters tall and 15.3 meters long. It was built in the reign of King Rama I in the Rattanakosin period, in 1795.

The Wetchayanta chariot is 11.7 meters tall, 17.5 meters long, weighs 40 tonnes and requires 206 men - 160 in front and 46 at the rear - to draw it.

A full-dress rehearsal for the royal cremation is scheduled for Sunday, November 2nd, with 2,500 soldiers participating.

While the Thai royal cremation is not being promoted as a tourist event, the pomp, ceremony and pageantry associated with the occasion are sure to make the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, 11 years ago pale into insignificance.

The Committee on the Organizing of the Royal Cremation Ceremony is expecting hundreds of thousands of Thai’s to join in the cremation ceremony and have made special arrangements for the installation of large television sets at Sanam Luang for people to view the proceedings.

In addition, relief centers will be established near Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue to provide food, drinking water, toilets, and first aid to those joining the ceremony.

In recognition of her contribution to Thai society, Thailand Post will issue a series of commemorative stamps, scheduled to go on sale before the ceremony of lighting the funeral pyre begins, showing the pictures of the Princess.

The Thai Treasury Department is also producing three commemorative coins to mark the royal cremation.

The first coin will be a 15-gram gold coin 26 millimeters in diameter, with a value of Bt25,000 (about $US735). The second, a 15-gram silver coin 30 millimeters in diameter, is priced at Bt1,000 (about $US29), while the third will be a 13-gram copper coin 30 millimeter in diameter, worth Bt50 (about $US1.47).

A more detailed description of the royal cremation ceremony and additional photo’s can be found at: http://photojourn.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/thai-royal-cremation-set-for-six-days-in-november/