Phuket Gazette: Ceremony rehearsal

Ceremony rehearsal

PHUKET (The Nation): Soliders marched during the second major rehearsal yesterday of the cremation of HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda at Sanam Luang on April 9.

The Maha Pichai Ratcharot chariot will carry the royal urn. Princess Bejaratana, the only child of King Rama VI, passed away at the age of 85 last July.

Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said the run-through was photographed and recorded on video for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to view.

The main pavilion, crematorium and other buildings will be open for the public to visit on April 11-17. A permanent exhibition in honor of the late princess will be installed at Nakhon Pathom’s Sanam Chandra Palace, which was built by King Rama VI.

Paper flowers, known as Dokmai Chandra, for mourners to use in paying their last respects to the late princess, will be accepted at the five pavilions – three on the grounds of Sanam Luang, one on the sidewalk opposite, and one at Chang Pier. Flowers will be accepted at 46 temples in Bangkok and at temples across the country, with one being designated in each province. The designated temple for Phuket will be announced shortly.

Traditional performances will be held from 7pm on April 9 until dawn the following day at three locations. A Ramayana play and grand shadow play will be performed on a stage on the Pra Pin Klao Bridge side of Sanam Luang; a puppet show and a play will be performed on a stage on the Supreme Court side; and, on a stage on the Thammasat University side, performances will be held by the Public Relations Department’s band, a Chulalongkorn University Band, and a choir from the Santirat Institute of Business Administration under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana.

The late princess’ ashes will be collected on the morning after the April 9 cremation and escorted to Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall. On April 12, a ceremony will be held to mark the ashes’ permanent placement in the Throne Hall.