reader Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 From NY Times BANGKOK — On a broad parade ground not far from the Grand Palace, Thai masters are constructing a vision of heaven — an elegant, nine-spired funeral pyre for King Bhumibol Adulyadej that will send his soul into the afterlife later this year. Built to represent Mount Meru, the center of the Hindu universe, it will embody the highest of Thai arts and architecture, with delicate towers adorned with images from mythology and from the life of the king, who died last October at the age of 88, after 70 years on the throne. The cremation is planned for Oct. 26, the second of five days of funeral ceremonies. It will be witnessed by 8,000 invited guests as well as millions of Thais around the nation. The main cremation tower will be 165 feet tall, with a seven-tiered roof and spire, surrounded by eight smaller pavilions representing mountains that surround Mount Meru. Ponds at the pyre’s four corners represent the Cosmic Ocean that flows around it. There will be a small garden with a plot of rice and vegetation commemorating the king’s commitment to rural development. The pyre’s iconography will portray some of the king’s accomplishments, including dams, wind farms, reservoirs and irrigation projects. It will have paintings of angels and mythical creatures, and hundreds of sculptures, including a statue of the king’s favorite dog, Tongdaeng. Continues with photoshttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/world/asia/king-bhumibol-thailand-funeral-pyre.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vessey Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Should provide a fitting send-off to a much loved King. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggobkk Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 More than a send-off site, it's a launch pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbob69 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Wow, Very impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sglad Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 More than a send-off site, it's a launch pad. Now, now, let's not be facetious. I think I will go down for a look-see when it's ready and open to the public. In a country where so many things often go wrong, one thing the Thais excel in is presentation and pageantry. This is going to be huuuge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggobkk Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I plan to visit next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santosh108 Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 On March 16 I went to Sanam Luang and saw the structures being built for the King's cremation ceremony. However they would not let me into the grounds saying it was for Thais only which I respect. But I did take a picture from outside (which I hope I managed to copy onto this message!). ChristianPFC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santosh108 Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Sorry, guess I didn't figure out how to put a picture in a message?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbob69 Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 I wonder if the ceremony will be Thais only. I once met a young English girl who was teaching for a year in Thailand. She was expected to become essentially Thai whilst staying there. She had to leave tributes at the shrine and wai as she passed any pictures or statues of the king. She was always the Farang but tried to keep everyone happy. I'm sure others in that situation would like to pay their respects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Sorry, guess I didn't figure out how to put a picture in a message?! save picture somewhere in your computer , use "more reply options" button beside 'post ' button , you will see option of attaching picture , choose file , attach it to the message and off you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianPFC Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 On a broad parade ground not far from the Grand Palace, Thai masters are constructing a vision of heaven Sanam Luang is the name. "Thai masters" an oxymoron? When the Thai do something new that involves engineering or science, there is a good chance it goes wrong (the statues of the Thai kings in Hua Hin or the giant standing Ganesha in Chachoengsao, both had to be put into scaffolding for renovation because there was structural damage shortly after opening). This is a pyre, so everything will be burned in the end. In this case, an ample amount of duct-tape can be used to hold everything together until the main event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokopelli Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Christian, I do believe you are wrong about everything being burned at the end. The actual cremation of HM is done within the structure much as any crematorium you would see at at Wat. Could I be wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 An recent article in the New York Times indicates that almost none of the construction will be burned. The central tower, according to the May 5th article, will have a self-contained incinerator where the cremation will take place. After the 4-5 day event, the article indicates that the structures will be dismantled and sent to "temples and other destinations around the country." So, at least according to this article, there is not going to be a huge fire going on for the cremation itself. I've attended two cremation ceremonies in Chiangmai for top-ranked monks and both involved the burning of elaborate structures. But it appears that may not be the case in Bangkok for Rama IX. ChristianPFC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sglad Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 An recent article in the New York Times indicates that almost none of the construction will be burned. The central tower, according to the May 5th article, will have a self-contained incinerator where the cremation will take place. After the 4-5 day event, the article indicates that the structures will be dismantled and sent to "temples and other destinations around the country." So, at least according to this article, there is not going to be a huge fire going on for the cremation itself. I've attended two cremation ceremonies in Chiangmai for top-ranked monks and both involved the burning of elaborate structures. But it appears that may not be the case in Bangkok for Rama IX. Makes sense. The dismantled structures will serve the same purpose as Buddha relics - to preserve memory and provide a physical and continuous connection to the institution it represents (or used to represent) which a lot of Thais, particularly lesser educated ones, would value. Also, all that money and talent spent wouldn't go to waste - it's more eco-friendly and in-keeping with the times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reader Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 Photo taken Thursday and published on Khaosod English: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreyJ0y Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 wow it looks fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reader Posted September 8, 2017 Author Share Posted September 8, 2017 Impressive photo essay of the preparations in progress. From Bloomberg News http://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2017-09-08/thailand-s-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-cremation-prep-underway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiles Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 I've heard from more than one adult Thai that the whole structure will go up in flames. The king's body is still embalmed and in a fridge in a temple in Bangkok. Soon, in October, he'll be hauled out and will become ashes, along with the structure. Also, " ... all that money and talent spent wouldn't go to waste - it's more eco-friendly and in-keeping with the times ... " has absolutely nothing to do with it. We'll see if the New York Times gets it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DivineMadman Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Personally, I think the Times probably has it right. Given that the underlying structure is steel, it doesn't seem likely that the entire structure will go up in flames. All through November there will be exhibitions at Sanam Luang where, according to the official website, "people will be able to learn more about the ceremony. The exhibition will feature arts and culture regarding the Royal Crematorium and related structures." Should be very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiles Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 " ... it doesn't seem likely that the entire structure will go up in flames... " No, just the wood. Duh ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faranglaw Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Dear Husband (Thai) informs me that the entire structure will indeed go up in flames, at least, the flammable part (or is that the inflammable part? ) They will then disassemble what is left, that steel base, presumably. DH tells me that when the King's Mother and Sister died they did the same thing, although, of course, the King gets a larger structure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterRS Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I've heard from more than one adult Thai that the whole structure will go up in flames. .I think you are wrong. The structure has contained within it an oven like structure and it is in this that the body is cremated. It was exactly the same for Princess Galvani. Anyone doubting this can see it very clearly on youtibe. It has already been announced that parts of the wooden structure will be dustributed to temples around the country. If it all went up in flames, there would be massive danger to the dignitaries attending.d Th body is presently lying in state in the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace. It will be taken from there to the crematorium. DivineMadman, KhorTose and kokopelli 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DivineMadman Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 PeterRS is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterRS Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Seems to me that quite a few Thais and at least one bf havent much clue what goes on at a Royal Cremation even tho the last one was only 10 years ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Seems to me that quite a few Thais and at least one bf havent much clue what goes on at a Royal Cremation I'd not be blaming them for that as a whole thing is blown out of proportion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
