WHERE TO PAY FINAL RESPECTS TO KING BHUMIBOL
The royal cremation day has arrived. Hundreds of thousands are expected to turn up at the ceremonial grounds to witness the historic event. Millions more are going to watch the proceedings on television. Those who would like to pay their last respect to King Bhumibol also have the choice of placing the sandalwood flowers at the 85 replicas of the royal crematorium around the country. There is one in each province and nine in Bangkok. Each replica is modelled after the real crematorium, in the elegant busabok style, 16m in diameter and 22m high from base to spire. An image of King Bhumibol is in place in the middle. The nine replicas of the royal crematorium are located at: The Royal Plaza (Dusit Palace); King Rama I Monument; Lan Khon Mueng at City Hall; the former Government Lottery Office; Nagaraphirom Park; Bitec Bang Na; King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lad Krabang; Buddhamonthon Park; and Thupatemi Royal Thai Air Force Sports Stadium. Besides the nine replicas, mourners can pay respect and place funeral flowers at more than 100 designated memorial sites, such as temples, schools and squares around the capital. Some of them include Santichaiprakarn Park on Phra Athit Road; National Stadium, Pathumwan; CentralWorld; King Rama VI Monument, Lumpini Park; Siriraj Hospital; Rama IX Park; Wat Thep Sirin; Fashion Island shopping malls; Thai Airways head office; Central Rama II; Indoor Stadium Hua Mak; and many more. For a full list of locations, visit www.kingrama9.th/NewsFeed/ Detail/1059.