Crematorium replicas near completion nationwide
Construction work around the country on replicas of the Royal Crematorium is more than 80 per cent complete.
At some locations, the smaller-scale replicas of the elaborate structure rising in Bangkok’s Sanam Luang will be finished this week and early next week, well ahead of the October 15 deadline set by the government.
At least one replica is being built in every province, giving citizens who cannot attend the funeral in Bangkok a chance to participate in the rites closer to home.
Nine are being built in and around Bangkok.
Volunteers were on Tuesday tidying the construction site around the crematorium replica at Wat Phetch Samut in Samut Songkhram’s Muang district. The structure is expected to be finished on Thursday.
In Phitsanulok, the replica erected at the Somdet Phra Ekkatosaros Military Camp will likely be finished next Tuesday, ready to accommodate up to 50,000 mourners at ceremonies coinciding with the funeral rites in Bangkok.
In Trang, the replica at Thung Chaeng field will be completed on Sunday and a ritual to bless the structure will take place on Monday.
The replicas closely resemble the ornate crematorium being completed at Sanam Luang.
The funeral of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is scheduled for October 25-29, with the cremation itself set for October 26.