Guest wowpow Posted January 7, 2008 Posted January 7, 2008 Preparations on for Royal funeral Ministry, Fine Arts Department readying chariots for Princess's Sanam Luang service. The Nation. Published on January 7, 2008 The Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot chariot at the National Museum is one of three royal vehicles to be used in the funeral of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. The Culture Ministry is preparing three chariots for the royal funeral of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. The Fine Arts Department has also assigned Group Captain Ek-avudh Ngernchuklin to lead a team of veteran chiefs of the department to build a cremation pyre in Sanam Luang. Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon and senior officials yesterday inspected three chariots named Phra Maha Pichai Ratcharot, Wechayan Ratcharot and Ratcharot Noi. They also inspected a three-layer carved wooden casket called Yarnmart, which will transport the Princess to the pyre. The ceremony will be in accordance with royal traditions observed since the reign of King Rama I. Khaisri said she would consult with Fine Arts Department experts on what parts of the chariots need repair and cleaning, before forwarding a report to the funeral organising committee led by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. As the committee meets this week, the ministry needs to assess the readiness of the respective areas under its charge, in order that His Majesty the King may be informed about the proceedings. Fine Arts Department director-general Kriengkrai Sampatchalit, in his capacity as a member of the funeral organising committee, said his office had completed an initial inspection of the chariots and would contact the Army to make a final inspection of all the parts, including the wheels, axles and frames. As for decorative cloths, the department will assign Krom Chang Sip Mu (the organisation of the 10 crafts) to carry out the overall inspection and assessment, Kriengkrai said. HM the King will have the final say on the choice of chariots to be used, he said. The department has also assigned a team to build the royal cremation pyre, led by Group Captain Ek-avudh. It comprises former department chiefs and experts from Krom Chang Sip Mu. Kriengkrai affirmed the department had all the information, be it about the chariots or a record of royal tradition, all of which will later be presented to General Surayud. Currently there are seven Ratcharot chariots being kept and displayed at the National Museum. The Phra Maha Pichai Ratcharot - 1,120 centimetres tall and 1,530 centimetres long - was built in 1795 during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809) to be used for a king's funeral. It carried the urn of Somdet Phra Pathom Borom Maha Chanok to the royal crematorium (Phra Merumas) at Sanam Luang in 1796. It was also used in the funerals of King Rama I, King Rama III, King Rama IV and King Rama V. On March 10, 1996, the Fine Arts Department and the Royal Thai Army's Ordnance Department restored the Phra Maha Pichai Ratcharot for the royal cremation of HRH Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother at Sanam Luang. The Wechayan Ratcharot, standing 1,170 centimetres tall and 1,750 centimetres long, was built in 1799 for the funerals of high-ranking Royal Family members. The Fine Arts Department restored it for the funeral of Queen Rampaipannee in 1985. It weighed 40 tonnes and required 206 men - 160 in the front and 46 at the back - to draw it. There are three Ratcharot Noi chariots, built during Rama I's reign. They were used for a Supreme Patriarch and linked to a chariot for Royal Family members to sit and sprinkle rice and petals. The Ratcharot Noi chariots were built in the same pattern as the Phra Maha Pichai Ratcharot and the Wechayan Ratcharot chariots, except they were smaller and had only one decorative "naga head". Pakamard Jaichalard The Nation I saw a BBC, two part, documentary on the death a funeral arrangements of HRH The Princess Mother and it was very spectacular. The mourning period was one year as it it will be when the King passes on. There was a splendid funeral pyre like a golden temple and the chariots - which are similar to the golden barges are amazing. I feel sure that everyone wore white and it was many hours as dignitaries went past the coffin to pay their final respects. Then the fire was started. There seems to be some confusion about the date. Someone announced 11th April on Sawatdee GF but todays Bangkok Post says that public ceremonies will start on 112th April - I suspect that this is an error Quote
Guest wowpow Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Sketch of the proposed funeral pyre courtesy The Nation Cost estimated at 200 million baht +. Quote
Bob Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 I wish the Princess a very honored and splendid send-off; however, that 200,000 million baht might possibly be better spent on other Thai citizens that are still with us. Just a thought. Quote
fedssocr Posted January 11, 2008 Posted January 11, 2008 I definitely have to agree with you there. And since everyone talks about how much she cared about the poor people you kind of wish she could have left some instructions to save the money and spend it on the less fortunate. But I assume that this is just the way it "must" be done with respect to protocol. You can see the chariots at the National Museum in an annex building. They also have video from some of the formal important funerals that play on a continuous loop. When I was there several art students were drawing the chariots. They are very impressive. I wish the Princess a very honored and splendid send-off; however, that 200,000 million baht might possibly be better spent on other Thai citizens that are still with us. Just a thought. Quote
