On 26 December, the Deputy Prime Minister presided over the Central Pyre Marking Ceremony, which will mark the designated area for the construction of the royal crematorium and surrounding structures in the royal cremation ceremony of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The construction of the royal crematorium is expected to begin in February 2017.

 

Mr. Anan Choochote, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, revealed that Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, chairman of the Committee on Construction of the Royal Crematorium and Surrounding Structures within the Ceremonial Site, and Renovation of Royal Vehicles to Be Used in the Royal Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, will preside over the Central Pyre Marking ceremony today at 16.19 hr, which determines the central point and the area designated for the construction of the royal crematorium and surrounding structures.

 

He will hammer a central stake for the royal funeral pyre, and then former Fine Arts Department Director-General Decho Sawananont and eight important figures will hammer eight more stakes. The stakes are made from nine auspicious trees.

 

The design of the royal crematorium and surrounding structures has been progressing well, so the planning process of the construction will be finalized within February 2017.

 

The first three months after the New Year holidays will be scheduled for the planning process to determine the construction area, and the construction will begin when preparations are finalized.