PHRA WIMAN
Phra Wiman refers to a “palace” where the royal relics and royal ashes of the late kings are enshrined. The royal relics of the late kings in the Chakri dynasty were originally housed at Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall in the compound of Phra Maha Monthian within the Grand Palace until the reign of King Rama V, King Chlalongkorn, who began storing the royal relics at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall. The relocation made Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall the “palace” only for the royal relics of King Rama I, II and III as well as some other members of the royal family. The construction of Chakri Maha Prasat reminded King Rama V of his parents — King Rama IV, King Mongkut and Queen Debsirindra, so he relocated their royal relics to the new Phra Wiman at Chakri Maha Prasat. This led to a new tradition that saw the royal relics of subsequent late kings kept there. The new Phra Wiman is a relics hall built on an upper storey of the middle section of Chakri Maha Prasat. Besides the royal relics of King Rama IV, the palace houses the royal relics of King Rama V, VI (King Vajiravudh), VII (King Prajadhipok), VIII (King Ananda Mahidol) and will store the royal relics of King Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej). The royal relics of other members of the royal family include Queen Debsirindra, Queen Saovabha Phongsri, princess mother of King Rama VI and VII, Queen Savang Vadhana, Queen Rambhai Barni, the Prince Father and Princess Mother of King Rama IX and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the older sister of King Rama IX. There is also a tradition of housing the royal ashes of the late kings and members of the royal family. Initially the royal ashes were put in white cloth weighted with three stones so that they were submerged while they were floated on a river. The stones were usually covered with gold, silver and pink gold leaves, all of which were wrapped in red cloth. Later, after the construction of the royal cemetery at Wat Ratchabophit Maha Simaram, King Rama V introduced a new tradition of keeping the royal ashes in sila, or stone boxes, at the temple. The tradition has continued ever since.