In preparing for the Royal Cremation Ceremony for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, there will be rehearsals for the Procession of Honour at Sanam Luang Ceremonial Ground in Bangkok this Saturday (7 October) and on 15 and 21 October.
The public may watch the rehearsal by entering the three nearest screening points to the Procession of Honour: Tha Chang Pier, Thammasat University, and Thokkathan-Mother Earth Squeezing Her Hair, at 05.00 hr. Please dress respectfully and carry photo identification to go through the security screening points. For more information, call 1441 (24/7) or 1257 (Monday – Friday, from 09.00 hr to 16.00 hr)
Please be informed that the following 18 roads around Sanam Luang Ceremonial Ground will be closed:
1. Ratchadamnoen Nai Road
2. Sanam Chai Road
3. Lak Mueang Road
4. Kalyana Maitri Road
5. Charoenkrung Road
6. Phra Phiphit Road
7. Thai Wang Road
8. Maha Rat Road – next to Grand Palace
9. Maha Rat Road – next to Wat Mahathat
10. Phra Chan Road
11. Setakarn Road
12. Chetuphon
13. Phraya Phet Road
14. Na Phra Lan Road
15. Na Phra That Road
16. Rachini Road
17. Phra Arthit Road
18. Soi Saranrom
For the first rehearsal, these 18 roads will be closed from 22.00 hr on the night of Friday, 6 October. The rehearsal is scheduled to start at 07.00 hr and will last until 13.00 hr.
The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced that the period of paying final respects to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the public is extended from 30 September to midnight on 5 October 2017.
On 26 September 2017, Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, led representatives and Buddhist leaders from around the world in a tribute to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the opening session of the International World Peace September 2017 being held at UNESCO’s headquarter in Paris.
UNESCO has organized a special session to honor His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his Sufficiency Economy Philosophy on the first day of the International Peace Conference September 2017 in Paris. The UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, praised His Majesty King Bhumibol as a great man who had worked for development and campaigned for lifelong learning. His Sufficiency Economy Philosophy has had an important impact on the modern world, and the United Nations has used the principle as a blueprint in its push for Sustainable Development Goals.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Chairperson Michael Worbs will deliver a message of condolences for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 26 September 2017 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The speech will be delivered on the first day of an International World Peace meeting, which UNESCO permanent delegates from Buddhist organizations will attend on 26-28 September. The meeting will be chaired by Thai Ambassador to France and permanent Thai delegate to UNESCO H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
The College of Dramatic Arts in Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, recently arranged a full rehearsal for the traditional Thai dances in honor of H.M. the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with participation from more than 400 performers. Mr. Pakorn Pornpisut, a specialist at the Office of Performing Arts, Fine Arts Department, revealed that the performances are aimed at expressing the Thai people's gratitude to the late monarch. The dances include certain episodes of the Ramayana epic which were favored by His late Majesty and were often performed at his command when receiving his guests. The performances are scheduled to be conducted during the royal cremation ceremony on 26 October, in front of the Royal Merit-Making Pavilion, where H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and members of the royal family will be seated.
