Not sure I agree that it has been blown out of all proportion. A massive structure made largely out of teak and other flammable materials would produce an almighty conflagration that would put not only the VIP onlookers at serious risk. The sparks flying around could result in fires amongst the tens of thousands of spectators. It would be spectacular, but that is not how cremations are carried out. I am not blaming anyone. Merely remarking that Id have thought Thais might have at least watched Princess Galyanis cremation if not the earlier one of the Princess mother.

NOTE -- I don't recall seeing this particular description of the cremation process before and cannot verify details elsewhere.

 

Excerpt from Nikkei Asian Review

 

On Oct. 26, a coffin carrying Bhumibol's body, which still lies in the Royal Palace, will be brought here and elevated to the top platform of the crematorium to be incinerated in an electric oven.

 

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/All-of-Thailand-readies-for-late-king-s-funeral-in-October

 

 

It is correct. Exactly the same as the cremation of His Majestys older sister Princess Galyani. The procession from the Royal Palace will be very impressive.

Of course, this "monument" will be a supplementary horror to visit in the three days tours !

It is a huge work of art. Why on earth would you call it a "horror"?

Chiang Mai is expected to have a model of the royal funeral pyre at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre as a monument of the late HM King Rama IX by October 10th 2017.

Excerpts from The Nation

 

By Phatarawadee Phataranawik
 

The grandest-ever Royal crematorium for the late HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be finished by September 30, in time for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn to install the top of the nine-spired funeral pyre on October 18.

 

This will mark the official completion of construction, Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimaprakprn confirmed on Wednesday afternoon at a press conference at the National Museum.

 

The cremation of the late King Bhumibol will take place on October 26, the second day of five-day funeral ceremonies.

 

Thai masters are busy finishing the “architecture of heaven” – an elegant nine-spired funeral pyre for the late King Bhumibol that will send his soul into the afterlife in late October.

 

After the royal funeral ceremony, the government will allow the general public to visit an exhibition about the late King Bhumibol from November 1 to 30.

 

The Culture Ministry will produce a special exhibition for the blind to touch and to hear audio

 

The ministry will also distribute 3 million leaflets to visitors. Around 100,000 people are expected to visit the crematorium per day.

 

Continues with new photos

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30326605

It is a huge work of art. Why on earth would you call it a "horror"?

coffin made by DaVinci ot Michelangelo is still a coffin and gallows constructed by Eiffel are still gallows

From The Nation

 

 

After almost nine months of preservation work undertaken by the Culture Ministry, the grand royal chariots, palanquins and other accessories are ready for use in the procession for the Royal Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in late October.
 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha this afternoon presided over a ritual ceremony for the refurbished royal chariots, which are housed in the National Museum’s Royal Chariot Garage near Sanam Luang.

 

The ceremony combined Buddhist and Hindu rituals and was followed by a garland presentation by the prime minister. Then a troupe of soldiers harmoniously pulled the royal chariots from the museum to the group outside. During the ceremony, the Culture Ministry’s Office of Performing Arts performed a traditional Thai dance accompanied by live pipat or traditional orchestra.

 

Continues with photos

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30327322

 

-------

 

Grand Palace closed for visitors from Oct 1-29

 

Breaking News September 21, 2017 17:00

By The Nation

 

The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple will be closed for about a month, starting October 1, to prepare for the Royal funeral of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

 

The Royal Household Bureau announced on Thursday that both venues would reopen for visitors on October 30.

From Coconuts Bangkok

 

To help ease the congestion caused by the many people coming into, and moving through, the city to go to the cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct. 26, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced that certain public transport, including the BTS, BRT, and public boats, will be free from Oct. 25-27

.

On Oct 26, the Sukhumvit and Silom lines of the BTS will be free, according to Thai PBS.

 

On Oct. 25 and 27, the BTS will be free between On Nut and Samrong station on the Sukhumvit Line and from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa station on the Silom Line.

 

All lines and stops on the BRT, boat, and bus will be free between Oct. 25-27. 

 

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/buses-trains-boats-will-free-bangkok-oct-25-27/

From Coconuts Bangkok

 

To help ease the congestion caused by the many people coming into, and moving through, the city to go to the cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct. 26, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced that certain public transport, including the BTS, BRT, and public boats, will be free from Oct. 25-27

.

 

not sure free transport would ease congestion, rather increase it 

My partner is travelling up from Isaan today to pay his respects to the late King Bhumibol.

His bus will arrive in Bangkok at 9 this evening when he is going to go and join the queue for tomorrows admission, he currently thinks his turn for admission could be late afternoon.

It is beyond my understanding but I do admire his devotion to the late King

My partner is travelling up from Isaan today to pay his respects to the late King Bhumibol.

His bus will arrive in Bangkok at 9 this evening when he is going to go and join the queue for tomorrows admission, he currently thinks his turn for admission could be late afternoon.

It is beyond my understanding but I do admire his devotion to the late King

 

I know some people from Sukhothai who recently went down to pay their respects.  They arrived at  3:30 am and got in at 5:00 pm

I have spoken to him this morning and I think he was quite lucky.

He arrived there about 10pm last night and got out about 10am this morning

Fortunately he had taken a plastic poncho as he said while waiting there was heavy rain but only for 30 minutes

I passed in bus 507 on Tue 26sep2017 and there was a queue of people in black filling the entire sidewalk, over 100 m into Ratchadamoen road. But almost nobody on Sanam Luang. It must be closed for construction on certain times.

From The Nation

 

Apart from the nine-spire roofed pavilions of the Royal Crematorium, the landscape at the ceremonial site has been arranged to pay tribute to the work of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

A dike rice field in the shape of the Thai number nine character, with vetiver grass, Chaipattana Aerators, a weir, and royal initiatives such as the Kaem Ling (“Monkey Cheek”) flood-control royal project, have been created. 

 

Phorntham Thamwimol, the landscape architect of the Office of Architecture, Department of Fine Arts, said the use of water illustrates the late King’s genius. 

 

“In order to express many royal initiatives significantly, this is the first time that the royal cremation ground of Sanam Luang has been adjusted.

 

“The ground level pools have a water circulation system and electric lighting effects at the four corners of the royal crematorium as well as at the front, where an actual rice field is planted,” he said.

 

Continues with other photos

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/kingdomgrieves/30328886

From The Nation

 

People will be able to visit the elaborately constructed and decorated Royal Crematorium between November 2 and 30.

The grand structure, which will be removed following the Royal Cremation of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, will be open for members of the public from 7am to 10pm. 

 

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening of the Royal Crematorium to the public in a ceremony on November 2, Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn announced on Friday.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30329746