Showing posts with label HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Show all posts

Thursday 30 November 2017

Delightful flower festival at Bangkok's Rama IX Park


                             Head for Rama IX Park in the eastern suburbs of Bangkok for one of the most delightful events of the year

One of the most delightful flower festivals in Thailand – the Suanluang Rama IX Flower Festival is taking place again this year from 1-10 December, 2017.

As usual, there are many different flowers and blooms on display in all areas of Suanluang Rama IX Public Park. Highlights also include an exhibition in remembrance of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his royally initiated projects in all parts of the country.

There are also booths selling flowers and plants as well as gardening tools. In addition, there are cultural performances from four regions of Thailand, an ornamental plant contest, and a floating market selling food, arts and crafts, and souvenirs.
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Suanluang Rama IX Public Park was built in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Covering an area of 500 rai, the park is divided into six sections: ‘Garden of the Great King’ which is home to the Ratchamangkhala Pavilion; ‘Botanic Garden’, the ‘Reservoir’; ‘Romanee Garden’; ‘Water Garden’; and ‘Sanam Rasdara and Sport Center’. In addition, there is an international garden featuring arrangements from different regions of the world. For more information, please visit: www.tourismthailand.org (in English) or suanluangrama9.or.th (in Thai)

The Suanluang Rama IX Public Park is located deep inside Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 103 (Udomsuk) Road. It opens daily from 08.00 – 19.00 Hrs. Admission is 10 Baht.

Source - ThenNation 
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Friday 3 November 2017

#Thailand - ‘Inappropriate behaviour’ leads to ban on visitors entering Royal Crematorium


THE CULTURE Ministry announced |yesterday morning a ban on entering the Royal Crematorium of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej after visitors reportedly touched exhibits and displayed other inappropriate behaviour during a trial run on Wednesday spread on social media.

After HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening of the Royal Crematorium exhibition yesterday morning, the ministry announced a new rule restricting photography to the area outside the Royal Crematorium in an effort to protect the sacred structure.

 The Culture Ministry hosted “trial run” tours for 16,500 invitees on Wednesday, including governmental officials, monks, students, physically disabled people and other citizens. Three separate hour-long tours of the complex took place.
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The exhibition organising committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn, permitted the select audience a close-up look of the Royal Crematorium, including visiting the interior second level.

But photos posted on social media showed visitors with their heads leaning together and posing with the Crematorium in the background. Additionally, people were seen touching the sculptures decorating the masterpiece, while others took items from the exhibition. 

“In order to run the tour smoothly with appropriate manners, the ministry announced that from November 2 [yesterday] onward, the general public can visit only the surroundings of the Royal Crematorium,” Anan Choochote, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, told Kom Chad Luek.

He added that the committee was also concerned for the safety of visitors.
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In the afternoon, Deputy Prime Ministry Wissanu Krea-ngam met with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House to discuss Princess Sirindhorn’s advice regarding related problems.

“The government will take action immediately on HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s advice to solve problems related to visitors crowding the area at the Royal Crematorium Exhibition, where items could be broken before the exhibition closes at the end of this month. However, there is no discussion on the extension of timetable,” Wissanu said.

Officials were seen yesterday equipping sensors on some items, which were said to be a preventive measure to detect if people came in too close a proximity.

Wassachon Thiangtae, a second-year student at Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin Poh Chang, said that it was a pity that people cannot enter the second floor of thcrematorium after the prohibition was issued. “Because of them [people displaying inappropriate behaviour], people today missed an opportunity to get closer and to have an experience to visit the Royal Crematorium. 

“Those people are selfish and did not think about others,” said Wassachon.
She added that she and her friends would return to the site since one hour was not enough. 
“We waited at the screening point only a short time. Officials there have very good management,” Wassachon said.
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Sanchai Premsiri, 53, from Bangkok, said at first he planned to just look around, but after an official told him the queue was not long, he waited only 20 minutes to take the tour. 

He agreed with the prohibition preventing people from entering the second floor, saying items could be damaged if 100,000 of people went there each day for one month.

“This place is not a tourist attraction, it is a sacred site,” Sanchai said. He said he wanted the Royal Crematorium to be kept intact for the next generation. 

A Cultural Ministry official said the tours were running smoothly, with people dressing properly, behaving well and following the rules. 

As many as 100,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition daily, with the eight roads adjacent to Sanam Luang remaining closed. In total, more than 3 million visitors are projected to visit the Royal Crematorium exhibition, which is open to the public until the end of November from 7am until 10pm.

Source - TheNation
 

Wednesday 1 November 2017

#Thailand - Royal Crematorium exhibition open on 2 November


IN A MUCH-ANTICIPATED move, the Royal Crematorium ceremonial grounds at Sanam Luang will open to the public tomorrow at 8am after Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officiates at the opening of an exhibition in honour of her father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at 7am.

Eight roads linked to Sanam Luang will be closed from tomorrow as 100,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition each day. The security will be as strict as that during the Royal Cremation. 

Visitors must bring ID cards or passports, and will have to go through one of five screening points. There are four screening points for ordinary people at the Territorial Defence Command, Tha Chang, the Earth Goddess Statue and Thammasat University, which will also provide for the disabled, while monks and foreign visitors are invited to check in at the Defence Ministry screening point. 
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At Saman Luang, tents will be provided for people to wait before entering at one of two entrances. One is near the Earth Goddess statue and another is close to Thammasat University, where wheelchairs will be provided. 

Visitors will be provided pamphlets there about the Royal Crematorium and, before leaving the exhibition, postcards, which will come in nine versions. Three million each of the pamphlets and postcards will be available. There will be English-language pamphlets for foreign|visitors.

The one-way tour will take about an hour to complete, with 5,000 visitors at a time being able to view its three zones. In the first zone, visitors will see exhibits related to Royal projects such as demonstration rice fields, “Monkey Cheek” water-retention systems and Chaipattana water mills. Visitors will be able to stay 15 minutes and take photographs.
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Guides will then lead visitors to see the grand architecture of the Royal Crematorium, featuring the centrepiece Principal Pavilion (Busabok) with the fire screen surround by the Monks’ Pavilions and Dismantling Halls. Visitors will be restricted to the first level of the Royal Crematorium.

The tour will end at the Songtham Pavilion, where three murals depict the late monarch during his 70-year-reign. The exhibition will also highlight his biography in five sections. 

Special guides will be set up for the disabled, including an audio commentary and touchable exhibits. At Tab Kaset Hall, next to the Dismantling Hall, blind people will be able to imagine the grandeur of the Royal Crematorium by touching a replica and listening to audio.

From 8am to 5pm, a pipat – traditional Thai ensemble – from the Culture Ministry’s Musical Department will perform and, in the evening until 10pm closing time, there will be public performances by some of the thousands of artists who performed at the Royal Cremation. Khon masked dance will be performed on the weekend.

The Culture Ministry expects 3 million visitors to view the exhibition, which will end on November 30.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will provide 60 free buses a day on six routes from 4am to 11pm. The routes to Saman Luang will depart Victory Monument, Hua Lampong Station, Mo Chit, Ekkamai, Southern Bus Station and Rattanakosin Island in Dusit district. Free ferries will be provided daily from 6am to 10.30pm from Rachanavik Sapha Pier at Thonburi’s Royal Navy Auditorium to Nivej Woradit Pier in Dusit near the Grand Palace. 

Source - TheNation

Friday 27 October 2017

19.1 million Thais offered sandalwood flowers in homage


More than 19.1 million people across Thailand offered sandalwood flowers in homage to their late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the day of his Royal Cremation on Thursday.

The offerings were made at 878 officially prepared venues across the country.
The Interior Ministry’s command overseeing sandalwood flower centres disclosed the figures on Friday. At up to 2.9 million people laying sandalwood flowers, Bangkok had the highest number of mourners doing so.

Every venue for sandalwood-flower placing was overcrowded on Thursday, said the Ministry.

Source - TheNation

Wednesday 25 October 2017

#Thailand - Stickers allowing entry to ceremonial grounds become treasured souvenirs


STICKERS allowing mourners to pass through to the inner area of Bangkok’s Sanam Luang ceremonial grounds to observe the Royal Cremation ceremonies for HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej have become collector’s items for many people in memory of the beloved monarch.

Bearing each person’s registration number, the stickers – which come in different designs depending on which screening point people pass through – have become souvenirs for people attending the historic event.

“I intend to keep this sticker and will laminate it because it identifies that I, once in my life and for the last time, am at this place at this time in the last days of the farewell to HM King Rama IX. I’m one of the loyal Thai subjects that has a chance to be here,” said Theerayuth Kanchanaphetch, 39. 

“Each visitor passing through a screening point will get a sticker placed on his or her left chest. Mine is number 15458,” he said.

Theerayuth came from Songkhla’s Hat Yai district early Tuesday morning and spent the night camping under Phra Pinklao Bridge amid the rain. He woke at 3am to wait in a queue to access a visitor-screening point – two hours before the checkpoint was opened, then passed into the inner area where he sat in front of the National Museum at 7am.

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 Nakhon Si Thammarat resident Sathaporn Meelai, 43, said she and her daughter had arrived in Bangkok at noon on Tuesday and stayed overnight under Phra Pinklao Bridge. She was given a sticker with the number 14899 while her daughter received number 14898. 

After passing into the area, she carefully peeled off the sticker and attached it to her Thai national ID card as she was afraid she would lose it. “I will keep this sticker for the rest of my life as a souvenir of my attendance at the Royal Cremation ceremonies for HM the late King,” she said.
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Rayong resident Aree Tothong, 70, who also stayed under the bridge amid the downpour on Tuesday night, said she was determined to attend the ceremonies after three previous three trips to pay respects to HM the late King’s Royal Urn inside the Grand Palace’s Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that I must attend. I had to pin my sticker number 14155 on to my chest to ensure it wouldn’t go missing. I intend to keep this item for the rest of my life to remember HM the late King. I want to keep it so my children and grandchildren know that I was born in the reign of King Rama IX and I live through two reigns,” she said.

Source - TheNation

#Thailand - Many thousands queue to secure a place to watch Royal Cremation ceremonies


Loyal subjects queued all night despite heavy rain in the hope of getting close to the Royal Procession route for the Royal Cremation Ceremony.

The difficulties of having to queue and sleep on the street side without any roof above their head did not deter the people’s will to find a viewing place for the Royal Cremation Ceremony.
They waited patiently at all nine screening points around Sanam Luang which opened to the public at 5am on Wednesday.

Thousands of people were seen queuing at the ninth check point at Pinklao Bridge alone around 4.30 am. The queue was over one kilometre long from under the bridge, down along Phra Arthit Road to Bang Lamphu Intersection. All were in black formal attire, many of them them were elderly women.

Ratchaneenart Sanguansapsiri, a 44-year-old woman from Nonthaburi, said she joined the queue to enter the Royal Cremation Ceremony area at the ninth screening point around 8pm on Tuesday, and she was very glad to be there.

“It was a long and rainy night, but finally we made it,” she said with a big smile early on Wednesday morning.

“We understand what we are going to get through, as we still have to wait inside the ceremony ground for day, yet we are determine to endure this hardship. All of us want to be a part [of this ceremony] to send our beloved King back to Heaven.”
 
It was reported that there were kilometres-long queues at the other screening points.
Along Phra Arthit Road, many nightclubs opened their doors for mourners to use the toilets free of charge. Some restaurants on this nightlife street also provided free snacks and coffee for the people at breakfast time.

Before passing through the screening point, people are required to show their identification cards and have their baggage checked by security officers. Officers are on standby to advise people how to get to the closet screening point.

Source - TheNation

Thailand - Historical ceremony begins


Bangkok at centre of the nation's attentions as mourners turn out to pay their final respects.

ALL ROADS LEAD to Bangkok today for the start of the Royal Cremation Ceremony for the much-revered HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

People have travelled by buses, private cars, trains and planes during the past days in the hope of getting as close as possible to the “Father of the Land” one last time. 
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The late monarch reigned over Thailand for seven full decades until his passing last year. People have been mourning his departure and are now prepared to bid him a heartfelt farewell. 

As of press time last night, thousands of black-clad people were sitting or lying on footpaths near the nine entrances to the prime zones for members of the public to attend the Royal Cremation. They were to be opened today at 5am. 
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 Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek said officials had started clearing the areas last night before the reopening this morning.
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 The Royal Cremation Ceremony will run from today until Sunday, with the actual cremation taking place tomorrow. 

“I took a van ride from Nakhon Sawan province to attend the ceremony this week,” Piyapas Saengkhieo, 46, said as she queued for a shuttle bus to Sanam Luang, where the Royal Crematorium now stands tall next to the glittering Grand Palace. 

Aree Kantasak, a 60-year-old farmer from Lamphun province, said she would stay at Sanam Luang until the Royal Cremation ceremonies end. 

“I am not sure how near I can be to the ceremonial ground, but at least, I hope, I will be here for him,” she said. 

Montha Kanha and six friends from the border province of Nong Khai took a train to Bangkok, bringing along food, clothes, umbrellas and medicines so they, too, would stand by their beloved late King one last time. “From my birth, I have seen a lot of his royal projects. His royal guidance, such as the sufficiency economy philosophy, can apply to all aspects of life,” the 58-year-old teacher said. “We wish to see him off to Heaven.” 

Wichitra Busaba, a 53-year-old teacher, flew from Loei province to Bangkok but was prepared to sleep on the streets near Sanam Luang over the next few days. 

“I am here to pay final farewell to the late King,” she said. 

The government has estimated that about 250,000 mourners will turn up in areas near Sanam Luang tomorrow. Others can place sandalwood flowers at 85 replicas of the Royal Crematorium and hundreds of temples across Thailand to pay their final respects to one of the greatest Thai kings. 

Mourners near Sanam Luang will have a chance to see the royal processions in honour of the late King with their own eyes. People in other areas, meanwhile, can watch on TV, as the ceremonies will be broadcast live. 

PM’s Office Minister Omsin Chiwaphruek yesterday advised mourners to lay prostrate when the royal processions passed them, adding that umbrellas should not be raised at the time. 
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 “The royal processions and people along the way will be recorded and televised worldwide. Let’s act properly for the good image of the Royal Thai Kingdom,” he said.

Tuesday 24 October 2017

#Thailand - Long list of foreign guests to attend the Royal Cremation ceremony


The latest list of foreign dignitaries to attend the Royal Cremation of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej scheduled for Thursday. 

1. Lesotho : Their Majesties King Letsie III and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso
2. Bhutan : Their Majesties King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck)
3. Tonga : Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u
4. Myanmar : President U Htin Kyaw and his wife; Su Su Lwin
5. Laos : President Bounnhang Vorachith and wife Khammueng Vorachith
6. Singapore : President Madam Halimah Yacob and husband Mohamed Abdullah Alhabsee
7. Sweden : HM Queen Silvia
8. Netherlands : Maxima
9. Belgium : HM Queen Mathilde
10. Spain : HM Queen Sofia
11. Australia : General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove
12. Canada : The Right Honourable Madame Julie Payette
13. Indonesia : Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri
14. Swiss Confederation : Former Joseph Deiss
15. Germany : Former president Christian Wulff
16. Bahrain : Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
17. Denmark : HRH Crown Prince Frederik
18. Norway : HRH Crown Prince Haakon Magnus
19. Luxembourg : Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie
20. Malaysia : HRH the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah and HRH Tuanku Zara Salim the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Darul Ridzuan
21. United Kingdom : HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York
22. Japan : HIH Prince Akishino and HIH Princess Akishino
23. Qatar : HH Prince Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
24. Liechtenstein : HRH Princess Margaretha
25. Vietnam : Deputy President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh
26. Cambodia : Prime Minister Hun Sen
27. Swaziland : Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini
28. New Zealand : Former prime minister James Bolger
29. France : Former prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and wife Brigitte Ayrault
30. China : Vice prime minister H.E. Mr. Zhang Gaoli
31. Turkey : Deputy Prime Minister Fikri IÅŸik
32. Korea : Vice National Assembly Speaker Park Joosun
33. Russia : Deputy chairperson of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Olga Epifanova
34. Brunei : PM’s Office Minister, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng
35. United States of America : Secretary of Defence James Mattis
36. Philippines : Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano and wife Maria Laarni Cayetano
37. Sri Lanka : Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana and wife Stella Marapana
38. Nepal : Defence Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan and wife Bidya Banmali Pradhan
39: Pakistan : Power Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari
40. Bangladesh : Foreign Minister Mohammed Sahriar Alam
41. India : Deputy Foreign Minister M J Akbar
42. The Holy See : Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro

Source - TheNation

 

Saturday 21 October 2017

#Thailand - Public urged to not drink during Royal Cremation period.


The Disease Control Department has urged people to refrain from drinking for the five days of the Royal Cremation period to make merit for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Doctor Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director general of the department, sent a letter to the government’s Public Relations Department asking them to help get out a message discouraging people from drinking from October 25 to 29.

The letter to the PR department’s director general, Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, suggested the NBT channel run public service announcements discouraging drinking for the period.

Source - TheNation
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Friday 13 October 2017

The royal crematorium of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is almost complete.

Designed for a divinity

The architect of the Royal Crematorium talks about his inspirations for the elaborate structure

HIS MAGNIFICENT Phra Merumas, the royal crematorium, is almost complete but artist Kokiart Thongphud is not counting the days until it comes into use. 

“While I know that this is the most magnificent and majestic structure I have ever designed, I am neither glad nor proud to see it become a reality. My heart is crying and I don’t want October 26 to come – the day when I will send my beloved King back to heaven,” says the 49-year-old artist with the Fine Arts Department, who started work on designing the crematorium only hours after His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away on October 13 last year.
 
Like all Thais, Kokiart did not let his grief and suffering keep him from his work. The elaborate royal crematorium for King Bhumibol is the tallest of any such structures since the reign of King Rama V.

“My respected master Prince Naris – Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs, considered the great master of Siamese art – once said that the highest and widest structure of Phra Merumas signified the greatest dignity. My first design had the structure standing 80 metres high on a 120-metre-wide base, but it was too large for Sanam Luang as it is today. I eventually had to settle on a practical structure 55.18 metres high and 60 metres wide,” says Kokiart, who was the right-hand man of the celebrated late architect Arwut Ngernchuklin, designer of the royal crematoria for HRH the Princess Mother, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana and Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda in 1996, 2008 and 2012 respectively.

 Kokiart prepared five draft designs of the royal crematorium in the busabok style in line with the structures sketched by the old masters since the reign of King Rama V. These showed elaborate pavilions with ornately decorated tiered roofs topped by one, five and nine spires respectively. The five drafts along with other artists’ sketches were presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the president of the Royal Funeral Committee, and the Princess selected his design featuring nine pavilions, each standing independently of the others.

 The royal crematorium comprises nine busabok-style pavilions sitting on a three-tiered, square shaped base with a staircase on each of the four sides. On the topmost tier is the seven-tiered, spire-roofed principle pavilion, which will house the royal urn, while each of the four corners on the second tier have five-tiered, roofed pavilions called sang, which will be used by monks to chant scriptures during the ceremony. The remaining four pavilions are located at each of the four corners on the first tier. 

Kokiart also marks the centre of the royal crematorium from where two axes intersect – one from the spire of the Phra Si Ratana Chedi pagoda in the adjacent Wat Phra Kaew and the other from the middle of the phra ubosot or ordination hall in the nearby Wat Maha That.

 

Friday 6 October 2017

#Thailand - Royal Cremation to feature gun-carriage procession for first time in 67 years.


THE GRAND procession for the Royal Cremation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will comprise six separate processions of Royal chariots and palaquins.

It will be the first time in 67 years that the public will witness the meticulous tradition of the third procession of the Royal Gun carriage, or Rajarot Puen Yai. 

The Rajarot Puen Yai is used in the royal cremation of a king or a high-ranking member of the Royal Family who held a military position. It has been used during ceremonies to carry the Royal Urn on three counter-clockwise rounds of the Royal Crematorium.

The use of this chariot was introduced in the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), to replace the traditional use of Phra Yannamas Sam Lam Khan (a palanquin with three poles). In response to the wishes of King Vajiravudh, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) ordered the use of the Rajarot Puen Yai to carry the Royal Urn for King Vajiravudh around the Royal Crematorium.

Rajarot Puen Yai was used for the last time in the Royal Cremation of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) in 1950. 

The Royal Gun carriage, comprising two carts known as a limber and a caisson, represents that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces.

The front cart has been newly built, but the back cart is a restoration of the “Mountain 51” gun carriage with the registered number 21863 and the substitution carriage number 21866.

 The Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department in Nakhon Ratchasima undertook the restoration.

The new Royal Gun carriage has been fitted with a third wheel to enhance its strength and ability to balance.

 Decorations in traditional style have been designed by Fine Art Department artist Chanayotin Aupaluck. He says the design derives from original drawings made by Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong for the Rajarot Puen Yai Rang Kwean used in the funeral of King Rama VI.
The motifs have been hand-carved in teak.

“The traditional motifs include the lotus, used to decorate the base, and singha for each post of the base, which will hold the royal urn. Other krajang motifs are used for the wheels and along the carriage,” Chanayotin says.

“The metal construction of the chariot is coloured in dark army green and the carved wood is in an elegant golden shade.” 

The Royal Gun carriage weighs more than 1,000 kilograms, is 1.85 metres high and seven metres long. It will take about 40 men to pull it. 

Source - TheNation

Sunday 1 October 2017

#Thailand - Tourism Authority issues advisory for royal funeral


The Royal Household this week announced that the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be closed from October 1 to 29 as preparations are made for the funeral of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.


Both will reopen on October 30.

The government earlier set the dates for the funeral rites and cremation as October 23 to 29. The Grand Palace will thus be closed for most of October in preparation and there will be some access restrictions to places nearby. 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand points out that foreign visitors can still find many wonderful places to discover in Bangkok, and alternative tours are readily available. 


The royal cremation will take place on October 26, proclaimed a national holiday as a mark of respect for the late King.

Visitors are reminded that this occasion will be a time of great sadness for Thais. The Tourism Authority recommends they behave and dress in a respectful manner – not just in Bangkok, but everywhere in the Kingdom. 


It also notes that banks and some government-related services will be closed on October 26.

Source - TheNation

Sunday 24 September 2017

Free Bangkok transit rides for Royal Cremation period


Free public transport in Bangkok will be provided from October 25-27 to help people coming into, and moving through, the capital to attend the funeral flower-laying sites for the Royal Cremation of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

The BTS Skytrain’s On Nut-Samrong and Wongwian Yai-Ban Wa extensions, the Airport Rail Link, and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT)’s Purple Line will provide 
free services for the three days, said MRT deputy governor for operations, Anusilp Sirivejchapan.

The MRT Blue Line services and the BTS Skytrain for On Nut-Mo Chit and National Stadium-Wongwian Yai routes would be free only on October 26 when they would remain open until 2am, Anusilp added.


 From October 25-27, the Bus Rapid Transit services and public boat services at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and Khlong Pasicharoen will be free, said Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Deputy Governor Pol Lt-General Chinnatat Meesuk.

There will be a return to black-and-white TV broadcasts and a general toning down of all entertainment from October 23 until the end of the month out of respect for the late King’s funeral ceremonies.
Medical teams and qualified first-aid volunteers will provide assistance to people attending the Royal Cremation at Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace, as well as at designate sites nationwide from October 24 until the end of the cremation ceremony, according to Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn. 

Dr Sopon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said the Public Health Emergency Response Division had been assigned to open a central public health emergency operation centre (EOC) during the Royal Cremation.

The Department of Medical Services would coordinate with hospitals to provide manpower for medical treatment. Teams would be stationed at 21 main service points in Bangkok and the vicinity and 113 designated sites to collect funeral flowers. At each province during the same period a provincial public health office head would open an EOC to manage medical services provided at each of the designated sites to collect funeral flowers.

The already-running joint operation centre for medical and public health has provided medical and first-aid services to 3.2 million people who visited the Grand Palace to pay respects before the Royal Urn. It will continue services until September 30 before its personnel would 
be moved to work with the EOC in central Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the number of people visiting the Grand Palace to pay their respects in front the Royal Urn yesterday morning reportedly reached the week’s peak of 32,000. Attendance has increased in recent days as the September 30 deadline approaches.

The Royal Household Bureau yesterday reported that 11,065,577 people had paid their respects over the past 324 days and, during the same period, public merit-making donations for the late King totalled Bt820 million.

Source - TheNation




Tuesday 12 September 2017

#Thailand - River to be secure for cremation of King Rama IX.


The Marine Department on Monday announced its preparedness to provide security and direct water traffic during the royal cremation ceremonies for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) at Sanam Luang in Bangkok from October 25-27.

A water security co-ordination centre will be set up to oversee the operation around the clock during the period. 

Some 180 officers on 10 patrol boats would provide security in the Chao Phraya River from Krung Thon Bridge (Sang Hee) to King Taksin Bridge (Sathon) from midday to 9pm on October 25, from 6am to 11pm on October 26, and from 8am to 2pm on October 27.

All types of boat, except those from the state agencies providing security, will be banned from the immediate area. 
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 Chao Phraya Express boats will dock at Thewet and Yod Piman piers, because the Phra Arthit, Tha Chang and Rachinee piers will be closed. 

The cross-river ferries that normally provide services from Tha Phra Chan Nua, Maharat and Tha Chang piers would use Pin Klao pier on the Phra Nakhon side, while those normally providing services from Tha Tian would be temporarily based at Rachinee pier. Tourist boats will be able to use the Pin Klao pier in the north and the Rachinee pier in the south.

The Thai Boats Association’s boat rides for people heading to Sanam Luang to attend the royal cremation ceremonies will be available from Nonthaburi pier to Pin Klao pier and from Sathon pier to the Yod Piman pier.

Source - TheNation


 

Tuesday 13 June 2017

#Thailand - 7.5m people pay respects to late King

People from all walks of life and from all over the country have visited Bangkok to pay their respects before the Royal Urn of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej inside the Grand Palace’s Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall.

The Bureau of Royal Household reported on Friday that 7,544,644 people had paid their respects before the Royal Urn in the past 219 days. During the same period, the public also donated more than Bt592 million towards merit-making for the late King.

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Source - TheNation
 

Saturday 6 May 2017

#Thailand - Royal cremation ceremonies to be broadcast live on all channels.

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All TV channels will broadcast live the royal cremation ceremonies of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October. 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Friday that the royal cremation ceremonies on all five days, from October 25-29, will be broadcast live by all channels.
The Cabinet had earlier announced a national holiday on October 26, the cremation day.
Wissanu said the government had no intention to announce more holidays. 


He said it was too early to decide if the government would also declare holidays on October 25 and 27 to enable Thais from other provinces to travel to Bangkok to participate in the ceremonies.
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Source - TheNation
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Wednesday 26 April 2017

#Thailand - Royal cremation ceremonies to be held Oct 25-29

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THE Royal cremation ceremonies for HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) will be held between October 25 and 29.

October 26, the day of his |cremation, will also be a national holiday to allow members of the public to take part in the important event. 
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King Rama IX passed away on October 13 last year, plunging Thailand into deep mourning. A large number of Thais continue to wear black and white today to grieve over his death. 
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Throughout his seven-decade reign, King Rama IX worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of his people. In return, he won much love and reverence from his subjects. 
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Assistant Government Spokesman Colonel Atisit Chaiyanuwat announced yesterday that HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X) |had approved the schedule. 
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Atisit said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had proposed three options on how to facilitate people’s desire to join the royal cremation ceremonies. 
The first is to declare October 25 and October 27 as national holidays too, so that people from the provinces can travel to Bangkok for the ceremonies and then travel back in time to work again. 
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The second is for October 25 and October 27 to be holidays for people living outside Bangkok and its adjacent provinces.
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The third is to not declare any additional holiday and let people decide themselves how they can attend. 
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Last Friday, King Rama X also approved the Office of the Prime Minister’s decision to declare his birthday, July 28, and the day of his father’s passing, October |13, as important days in Thailand. 
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King Rama X ordered that royal ceremonies be held in remembrance of his father on October 13 every year, the same way royal ceremonies are held in commemoration of his great grandfather, King Rama V. 
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 Source - TheNation

Tuesday 28 March 2017

Thailand - 3 million funeral wood flowers for King’s cremation

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Three million funeral wood flowers will be given to public mourners before the late HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal cremation, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang.

The artificial flowers will be made into 36 patterns – such as roses, orchids, water lilies, cape jasmines, daffodils, zinnias and champaks – from focal natural materials like dried banana leaves and trunks and dried water hyacinths, Aswin said on Monday.
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They will be made and provided at 101 booths across Bangkok.
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Flower makers will include people from BMA schools, vocational schools and companies. 
Their models will also be given to those wishing to craft the flowers themselves.
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According to Thai tradition, wood flowers are placed in front of a deceased person’s coffin or urn as a last tribute before cremation.
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The BMA’s Social Development Department is receiving raw material donations for the flower-making process.
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Source - TheNation

Friday 24 March 2017

Bangkok - Changes to Sanam Luang mourners area

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Some adjustments will be implemented from April 1 for people arriving at Sanam Luang to pay their respects before the royal urn of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej inside the Grand Palace’s Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall in Bangkok.

Following a meeting of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command on Friday, Deputy First Army Region commander Maj-General Pongsawat Pannachit said the adjustment was needed because Sanam Luang would be prepared as the ceremonial ground for the upcoming Royal Ploughing Ceremony.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Public Work is currently preparing the southern area of Sanam Luang to support mourners, with an administrative tent and medical team set up there.
From April 1, officials and volunteers will provide snacks to visitors each morning, Pongsawat said.
Later each day, people can receive food from charity tents at two areas near the Mother Earth Squeezing Her Hair Statue and the old Government Lottery Office. 
Those visiting the "Yen Sira Phro Phra Boriban" exhibition building at Sanam Luang will have a tent especially for them at the area opposite the Appeals Court.
A shuttle bus service from the Grand Palace's Thevapirom Gate to the exhibition building will be available.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony will be held in May on the Phuetcha Mongkhon holiday to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season.
The ceremony, rooted in Brahman belief, will involve two sacred oxen ploughing a furrow in the ceremonial ground while rice seeds are sown. 
After the ploughing, the oxen will be offered food such as rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky.
There will be a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful based on what the oxen eat.

Wednesday 8 March 2017

Thailand - Funeral of King Bhumibol 'planned for late October'

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 The funeral of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be in late October, according to the government spokesman. 
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A government committee overseeing the funeral arrangements had agreed at a meeting on March 1 that that the rites be held by late October, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Wednesday.
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He said reports that the funeral would be held in late December were incorrect.
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It was reported that the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn suggested the rites be scheduled for Dec 25-29 this year.
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The reports quoted the Prime Minister’s Office as saying the princess gave the advice during a meeting of the government panel overseeing the funeral of the late King.
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.Source; BangkokPost