Numerous people have joined in the creation of sandalwood flowers for the Royal Cremation of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Training on how to make the artificial flowers for this significant ceremony has also been arranged by several organizations.

 

The Royal Cremation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is scheduled for 25-29 October 2017. Thursday, 26 October, will be the royal cremation day and it has been declared a public holiday.

 

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has provided an opportunity for the people to participate in sandalwood flower making at the Dusit Palace compound, Sanam Sua Pa, and the Royal Plaza, in Bangkok. Teachers from the Royal Traditional Thai Crafts School for Women and Royal Craftsmen College, as well as officials from the royal court, will offer training for people participating in this volunteer activity.

 

The activity will be held every day, from 10:00 a.m. onwards. On Saturdays, musical performances will be arranged at the Royal Plaza, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to entertain members of the public.

 

The sandalwood flowers for the Royal Cremation Ceremony will be made into many types of flowers. One of them is the daffodil, which was His Majesty King Bhumibol’s favorite flower. The late King often presented this flower to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, when they stayed in Switzerland.

 

The public participation in making cremation flowers is seen as an activity that enables the people to show their love to His Majesty the late King, who will always be remembered with great respect and admiration. The activity also shows unity among the Thai people. Moreover, the people joining this activity will have the opportunity to develop their skills in making artificial flowers, which may become an occupation for some, as well.

 

Meanwhile, the Department of Skill Development will arrange a training program on making sandalwood flowers to be presented for the Royal Cremation Ceremony. It has assigned the Institutes for Skill Development and the provincial skill development offices nationwide to arrange this program. In Bangkok, the training will be organized from 19 to 21 May 2017 at the Bangkok Institute for Skill Development and the Labor College.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has also told various schools and occupational training centers, under its supervision, to invite the local people to join the creation of sandalwood flowers. It expects to produce three million cremation flowers for the Royal Cremation Ceremony.