#Thailand - Huge crowds at Mother Earth statue for Royal Cremation

A huge number of people were waiting in the queue at the screening point near the Mother Earth statue at Sanam Luang, hoping to get the closest position at the Royal Cremation ceremonial ground.

By 7am, almost 4,000 people were allowed to enter via the screening point while numerous others waited patiently for their turn.

The mourners who pass this checkpoint in front of the Shrine of the City Spirit and in front of the Supreme Court will be seated closest to the Royal Crematorium.

By 7.30am, the queue of people extended all the way to Democracy Monument. At 11pm on Tuesday, the long queue had already stretched all the way to the Golden Mountain of Wat Saket.

Each mourner is given a sticker for identification after they show their identity card to officials. They are required to walk past a metal scanner and then open their bags for the authorities to check before being allowed inside.

Source - TheNation

#Bangkok - Huge crowds arrive for final dress rehearsal of Royal Cremation

A huge crowd turned out around Sanam Luang on Saturday to watch the final dress rehearsal of the historic Royal Cremation Ceremony for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Many of them had arrived at 9pm on Friday and camped out to reserve vantage viewing positions for the dress rehearsal of the royal processions for the Royal Cremation Ceremony. The Royal Cremation is scheduled next week.

Mourners who wanted to get access to the prime zone, where some 40,000 people can gather, had to go past nine checkpoints that opened at 5am on Saturday.

The three processions that will take place on the cremation day on October 26 will be rehearsed on Saturday.

The first procession will see the transfer of the Royal Urn to the Palanquin with Three Poles, or Phra Yannamas Sa Lam Khan, from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace to the Great Victory Chariot or Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot in front of the Elevated Royal Pavilion on the eastern side of Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho.

The second procession will involve placing the Royal Urn on the Great Victory Chariot by the Naga Conveyor or Kroen Bandai Nak and then proceed to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang.

The third procession will see the Royal Urn being transferred to the Royal Gun-carriage, or Rajarot Puen Yai, which will circumambulate three rounds counter-clockwise around the Royal Crematorium before taking the Royal Urn up to the funeral pyre or Phra Chittakathan.

Source - TheNation

#Thailand prepares for farewell to beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej

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Officials are working on the Royal Crematorium and related accessories as Thailand prepares for a proper farewell for one of the country’s most beloved monarchs, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

King Bhumibol passed away on October 13 last year. 

The Royal Cremation Ceremonies for the late King will take place in October this year. At present, the structure of the Royal Crematorium is 91 per cent complete. Structural works for the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion are 99 per cent complete. 

Angel sculptures that will adorn the elaborate structures are now being made. 

Officials have been restoring royal chariots to full splendour as they will also be used for the Royal Cremation Ceremonies. 

Source - TheNation