Royal Cremation in Thailand: What You Need to Know

Here is a description of what will happen during the royal cremation in Bangkok and throughout the country. A historic, sad and grandiose event, which will allow Thai people to pay a vibrant tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) .

“On October 13, 2016, great sadness enveloped the people of Thailand, following the death of the late monarch.

Even though it's been a year, the sadness is still there.

The royal funeral is scheduled for October 25-29, 2017, in Bangkok , with the royal cremation itself taking place on October 26, between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Royal Cremation and Buddhist Cosmology

The funeral will be a grand, carefully planned event featuring magnificent works of art that match traditional court practices; everything will take place according to a well-prepared plan, in honor of the deceased king.

The design plan of the Royal Crematorium (พระเมรุมาศ) and other surrounding architectural works reflect traditional cosmological beliefs, particularly with regard to the concept of Trailokya (ไตรภูมิ) or " three worlds ", which places Mount Meru (or Sumeru) at the center of the universe, surrounded by seven seas, seven mountains and four continents.

In Buddhist cosmogony , the term triloka designates the three kingdoms, the three spheres of existence which are:

• the realm of desires or kamadhatu
• the realm of subtle matter or rupadhatu
• the realm of the immaterial, the formless or Arupyadhatu.

Mount Meru is the mythical mountain considered the axis of the world in Persian, Buddhist, Jain and Hindu mythologies.

It is said to be 80,000 leagues (450,000 km) high.

Mount Meru is said to be located in the center of the Earth, in Jambudvipa, one of the continents in Indian mythology.

It is considered the abode of the gods or devas.

Above are the heavens, below the underworld, and all around stretches the visible world. It is around it that the sun revolves.

Kings are believed to be the reincarnation of Narayana, one of the gods who descends to the world to spread peace and happiness and returns to heaven when his life ends.

The landscape of Mount Meru and its surroundings are represented by the detailed architectural works installed at Sanam Luang .

The Royal Crematorium is a temporary monument that will be removed once the cremation is complete.

The Royal Crematorium is designed as a complex of nine pavilions or Busabok, with staircases on all four sides.

The pyre is elevated, located three levels from the base.

One level is used as a chamber to collect royal ashes after cremation , and the other is for the monks.

At the center of the structure is a large Busabok surrounded by four smaller Busaboks at each corner, housing a royal catafalque and, inside, the royal mortuary urn.

The mystical pond known as Anodat is depicted around the base of the royal crematorium, using sculptures of mountains of various sizes as well as mythical creatures found in the legendary Himavanta forest , including elephants, horses, oxen and lions.

Each level of the pyre is also decorated with mythical animals, great deities, the Four Heavenly Kings, garudas and angels – who are believed to escort the deceased king to heaven.

Another important part of the royal funeral is the making of the royal urn and royal coffin .

The precious woods were selected by the Ministry of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation from Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

The woods were used to make the urn in the shape of an octagon with a top crown and a rectangular coffin decorated with chiseled steel and refined wood.

Story Credit: Gateway magazine
Photo credit: facebook.com/ ลักษณะ ไทย
More information: kingrama9.net/EN/Crematorium »

Royal Cremation Ceremonies

Map of funeral processions

• Day 1 (October 25): Merit ceremony at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace .
• 2nd day: The cremation itself will begin at Sanam Luang, where the king's body will be cremated.
• 3rd day: the royal ashes will be collected
• Day 4: The royal ashes will be blessed during a second royal merit ceremony at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall
• 5th day: the royal urn will be taken to Chakri Maha Prasat

The funeral pyre will be lit on October 26 at 7 p.m.

The 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard and the 1st Artillery Battalion, King's Guard on behalf of the Royal Thai Armed Forces will officially light the pyre, with a live broadcast on major television channels across the country.

How to observe this month of mourning in Thailand

Black mourning ribbon

The government has suggested that all citizens wear black or white clothing, preferably plain and without patterns, throughout the month of October until the 27th.

If one cannot comply, a black mourning ribbon pinned to the shirt will suffice:

Modest clothing is suggested until the 29th when official ceremonies end.

Dress code to follow during ceremonies

To be respected if you want to attend the funeral on Sanam Luang or one of the many ceremonies organized across the country.

High:

• black
• white / gray / dark tone + black ribbon

Down:

• pants
• dark color
• Jeans are acceptable but must not be ripped jeans
• knee-length or longer skirt

Shoes:

• sober
• close the front and heels
• black
• no flashy decoration

Other useful information to know

An official website has been created, if you are an English speaker and want to know everything about this event: kingrama9.net

Crematoriums across the country

To ensure that all Thais can participate in these ceremonies, replicas of the Royal Crematorium will be built throughout the country.

Replicas of the Sanam Luang Royal Crematorium will be placed in each of Thailand's 76 provinces, as well as at nine sites in and around Bangkok.

Free transport in Bangkok

To ease traffic congestion, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced that the MRT, public boats, and BTS will be free on October 25 and 27.

The Royal Crematorium will be open to the public for one month after the ceremonies

Built in nine months, His Majesty King Bhumibol's crematorium represents the pinnacle of modern Thai craftsmanship

The area of ​​the Royal Crematorium surrounding the pyre will remain open for a month after the cremation to allow the public to admire the extraordinary craftsmanship.

It will be open to the public from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., from November 1 to 30.

The public can participate in funeral flower laying rituals in temples

For those unable to make it to Sanam Luang, many temples across the country will provide places to lay flowers in tribute to the king.

Video of the Royal Crematorium filmed by a drone

An impressive video with day and night views.

Source: learnthaiwithmod.com ; thailande-fr.com