Royal cremation processions for Queen Sirikit rehearsed in Bangkok
Bangkok’s second on-site rehearsal covered three royal processions ahead of Queen Sirikit’s cremation, with full-scale rehearsals on December 6 and 12.
- A second on-site rehearsal for the royal cremation processions of Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother was held in Bangkok, led by Thailand’s First Army Region.
- The rehearsal covered the first three of six processions, practicing the routes that will convey the Royal Urn from the throne hall to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang.
- Thousands of personnel from various military units, royal agencies, and academies participated in the practice to ensure the ceremonies follow traditional customs.
- This event is one of several rehearsals scheduled for November and December in preparation for the official ceremonies in mid-December.
Thailand’s First Army Region held a second on-site rehearsal in Bangkok on Sunday (November 15, 2026) for the royal cremation processions of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
The session, scheduled from 7am to 2pm, covered the first three processions, with military personnel and participating agencies practising the ceremonial sequence along the actual routes.
Lieutenant General Worayos Lueangsuwan, commander of the First Army Region and the 904 Royal Guard Task Force, led the rehearsal in his capacity as commander of the combined ceremonial force.
Further rehearsals before December ceremonies
The next preliminary on-site rehearsal is scheduled for November 22, followed by two full-scale rehearsals on December 6 and 12.
The ceremonial movements of processions 1–3 are scheduled for December 16. Procession 4 will take place on December 17, followed by processions 5 and 6 on December 19.
First procession from the throne hall to Wat Pho
The first procession will convey the Royal Urn from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to the Great Victory Royal Chariot, or Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot, in front of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, commonly known as Wat Pho.
The route covers 817 metres, with 956 personnel assigned to the formation. Its sections comprise an advance contingent, a monastic section, a ceremonial coordination section and the Royal Urn section.
Personnel are drawn from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, the Royal Thai Navy, the Army Quartermaster Department and the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Second procession to the Royal Crematorium
The second procession will convey the Royal Urn from in front of Wat Pho to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang. It covers 1,016 metres and comprises 2,746 personnel.
The planned formation includes a leading military contingent, an advance contingent, monastic and ceremonial coordination sections, and the royal chariot section.
It also provides designated sections for members of the Royal Family, royal descendants, royal attendants, and representatives of educational institutions and organisations under royal patronage. A military battalion will bring up the rear.
Participating units include the combined-force headquarters, the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment, both Royal Guard units.
Personnel also come from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, the Royal Thai Naval Academy, Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy, the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the Royal Thai Navy.
Other participating units and agencies include anti-aircraft artillery units, the Army Quartermaster Department, the Army Ordnance Department, the Bureau of the Royal Household and royal household guard personnel.
Third procession around the Royal Crematorium
The third procession will convey the Royal Urn around the Royal Crematorium along a route covering 1,027 metres, with 746 personnel assigned to the formation.
Its planned sections comprise the monastic and ceremonial coordination sections, the Royal Urn section, and sections for members of the Royal Family and royal attendants.
All participating agencies are preparing to ensure that the ceremonies proceed smoothly, follow traditional royal customs and accord the highest honours to Her Majesty.
