Preparation for the royal cremation

Bangkok, Sept 20 – All parties are quickly preparing for the royal cremation of the late King Rama IX for its perfection and people who will attend it are asked to lay funeral flowers at specified locations. Regarding the royal cremation process that will start on Oct 26, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said from Oct 1 the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would start to improve roads and landscapes in the vicinity of the cremation venue. The task will finish before ceremonial rehearsals on Oct 7, 15 and 21. He also said that the construction of crematorium replicas nationwide were 50-70% completed. There will be nine replicas in Bangkok, consisting of four around the Sanam Luang cremation ground, another four in Bangkok’s outskirts, and the other one at the Royal Plaza. There will be 16 large pavilions and 26 medium-sized pavilions of funeral flowers in Bangkok. Such structures will also be built in 76 other provinces. A road closure plan in Bangkok has yet to be finalized. At least roads around Sanam Luang will be closed. People who will attend the cremation are advised to prepare their own food and drinking water despite free supplies from authorities. After the royal cremation, the Bureau of the Royal Household will open the royal crematorium to visitors on Nov 1-30. On Sept 26, journalists will be briefed on rules for their coverage of the royal cremation. (TNA)