Thailand sets December 16 government holiday for royal cremation
The royal cremation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother is set for December 16, with ceremonies from December 15–19 broadcast live.
- Thailand's Cabinet has declared Wednesday, December 16, a special government holiday.
- The holiday is for the royal cremation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
- The cremation ceremony will take place on December 16 at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang.
- This holiday is part of a broader five-day royal ceremony scheduled from December 15 to 19.
Thailand’s Cabinet agreed on November 10, 2026, to designate Wednesday, December 16 as a special government holiday for the royal cremation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang.
The holiday decision aligns with the official programme for the Queen Mother’s five-day royal ceremonies, scheduled for December 15–19.
Ceremonies begin on December 15
Under the previously released royal schedule, a royal merit-making ceremony ahead of the cremation will be held at 5pm on December 15 at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
The royal funerary urn will be conveyed to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang at 7am on December 16, followed by the royal cremation ceremony at 4.30pm.
Royal relics to be collected on December 17
The Queen Mother’s royal relics will be collected at 8am on December 17 at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang. The royal relics and royal ashes will then be conveyed to the Grand Palace.
A royal merit-making ceremony for the royal relics will take place at 5pm on December 18 at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
The urn containing the royal relics will be enshrined on December 19 at Phra Wiman in Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall. The royal ashes will be interred at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram and Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.
Live broadcasts throughout the ceremonies
Royal permission has been granted for the Public Relations Department, working with the Television Pool of Thailand, to broadcast the royal cremation ceremonies live from December 15–19, allowing the public to follow the full ceremonial programme.
