A BRIEF GUIDE ON THE ROYAL CREMATION
Today is the last day mourners are allowed to pay respect to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal urn. The Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall will close its gates tonight in preparation for the royal cremation ceremony, to be held on Thursday, Oct 26, at Sanam Luang. With heavy hearts, we prepare for the royal cremation, a once-in-a-lifetime historic moment that will take place in three weeks. While the cremation day is on the 26th (now a public holiday, as well as Oct 13), the official ceremony will take place over the course of five days from Oct 25-29, with merit-making ceremonies and others done in private within the throne hall. The cremation day, as well as the collection of the royal relics on the following morning, will be performed at the royal crematorium in Sanam Luang. A large crowd of mourners is expected to attend the ceremony. According to the Royal Cremation Preparation Committee, the schedule on the cremation day is as follows: On the morning of Oct 26, the royal urn is set to be relocated from the Grand Palace to the royal crematorium, with three elaborate funerary processions moving down various streets around Sanam Luang. The cremation ceremony is due to start at 5.30pm, while the actual cremation is scheduled for 10pm. There will be festivities and public performances — from khon dance to orchestra — given as a final tribute to the late king. It is expected that the festivity will run from 6pm on Oct 26 to 6am on Oct 27. On Oct 27, the collection of the royal relics will take place at 8am at the royal crematorium. The official mourning period will end on Oct 28. The royal crematorium zone however will open for the public for viewing for another month. On the cremation day, 7,500 people with verified credentials will be allowed to enter the Sanam Luang area. Others will have to observe the ceremony from the outer area — 250,000 to 300,000 are expected. Eighty five replicas of the royal crematorium will be placed around the country — one for each province and nine in Bangkok — for citizens to pay respect. The locations in Bangkok are: the Royal Plaza, the former Government Lottery Office, Nagaraphirom Park, King Rama I Plaza, Dhupateme Royal Thai Air Force Sports Stadium, Bitec Bang Na, Buddha Monthon Park, Khon Muang Plaza at City Hall, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. All hotels in the area are reportedly fully booked for Oct 25 and 26. Those who’ve previously queued outside Sanam Luang to pay respect to the royal urn know the routine if they want to come and witness the historic event on Oct 26: Bring your ID, inhaler, phone, powerbank, raincoat, fan, plastic sheet to sit on, and more if necessary. While there may be food and water provided within the area, it could be very busy due to size of the crowd. It is recommended people bring their own food and water. It is advised that those with illnesses, the elderly and children carry a clear, waterproof name tag with them at all time. The name tag should list any allergies, illness and emergency contact numbers. Also, do prepare for bad weather, as it could rain heavily or get really warm outside. To get to Sanam Luang on Oct 26, many public transports providers — from the Airport Rail Link, MRT to BTS — will be offering free services for commuters. Free shuttle buses are also offered on 11 routes within Bangkok metropolitan area, from Rangsit, Bang Yai, Rama II, Mo Chit, Victory Monument, Hua Lamphong train station and more. For those coming from outside Bangkok, free third-class train rides will be available from Oct 23-31 on four routes: Hat Yai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai and Chiang Mai. Check mot.go.th.