The Royal Crematorium

I was very lucky to have the opportunity on Tuesday morning (31 October) to pay a visit to the Royal Crematorium of His Majesty the late King Bhumibohl Adulyadej Rama IX.

The crematorium is built on a royal field called Sanam Luang, the site of a number of annual royal ceremonies, just outside the walls of the Grand Palace.

The Grand Palace

There are thousands of marigolds planted throughout Thailand right now - it's the country's way of paying tribute to the late king. The golden flowers surround Sanam Luang as well.

I went with my school as a part of the funeral volunteers. Over the past few weeks, a corps of volunteers in black polos shirts with blue hats, bright yellow neckerchiefs, and black and gold armbands have been helping out by cleaning, serving food, and generally assisting the people who have been waiting at Sanam Luang for the funeral. Although the funeral is over now, our school went there one more time to help sweeping and cleaning the site before it opens to the public on 2 November.

I watched the ceremony on TV all day on the 26th, and I saw the pavilion, though I had no idea how big it was! Apparently, it's the largest and most ornate royal crematorium in Thai history.

It will be open for a limited number of visitors to come and pay their respects to the late king through November, after which it will be permanently deconstructed. I'm told that it's not good luck to keep a permanent funeral pavilion up, and it makes sense, especially just outside the Grand Palace.

 

80,000 Thais and 8,000 foreigners will be allowed to visit each day, but have to arrive early and register for an entry time. I'm really glad that I got the chance to go with my school to help out before it opens up officially. I have a lot of respect for the late king, and I am glad I got to go to pay my respects.