Death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej: October 13, 2016

[Appleich]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

There is still no information about the funeral ceremonies of the King of Thailand?

Originally Posted by principessa

Will his funeral be attended by foreign royals? European? Asian? African?

The royal cremation ceremony is a massive event. Usually it takes couple of months in preparation because we have to rebuild the Royal Crematorium at the Royal Ground (Sanamluang). This is our tradition that we only build the crematorium only when a royal dies. We believe that if the crematorium is built permanently it means we're constantly waiting for someone to die. Please wait for the official statement about details of the ceremony from the government.

example of this royal cremation ceremony back in 2009 when Princess Galyani passed away (HM the king's older sister) :

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[Ephram]

It's the Bathing Ceremony that will come soon and with the one-year mourning period declared more elaborate rituals will be held at certain dates that will be determined later. The funeral of King Father Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia was only held after one year. We have seen funerals of several members of Thailand's Royal family, they took several months before the Cremation Ceremony were completed. https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ens-next-death

[WreathOfLaurels]

Originally Posted by Cris M

Maybe a "Succession to the Thai Throne" should be opened, so this thread could be solely about His late Majesty's death, while we can discuss the succession in another thread?

I've set a thread for that purpose up under the name you proposed

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...one-41391.html

[carlota]

Originally Posted by Victoria's Secret

There is no doubt here in Thailand that the Crown Prince will become Rama X -- he has simply requested time to mourn his father's passing properly before being appointed and taking on his role as the new monarch. (In the Palace, behind the scenes, the Crown Prince's staff have already assumed their new roles and responsibilities.)

Meanwhile, a year of mourning has been proclaimed, during which time we are all expected to wear black. And it will take that long (possibly even longer) to prepare for the royal funeral and cremation, which no doubt will be a very extravagant, days-long affair attended by many royals and heads of state. (Several years back I attended the funeral/cremation of Princess Galyani, elder sister of King Bhumibol, a year after her passing, and it was an extraordinary experience executed with pomp and age-old Buddhist rites.)

Anything and everything else is mere speculation that do Thai people no good in this time when they are dealing with such an immense loss.

thanks for providing us with this detail. as sad as the occasion is, the preparation for his funerals is truly something out of another world. no other funeral in the world for a head of state would draw such an event as the one you describe. i am most interested to see what will happen.

how long is it expected that the funeral will take to happen? i am most certain we will see a big congregation of foreign royalty, similar to the one we saw for HM's birthday some years ago.

so the Crown Prince has his own staff and no (or almost none) staff from the late king will continue in the court? i assumed that the prince would want his aides to take more ownership now but i wonder if he will keep some of the previous generation.

i was also wondering if this means that the public for several months will wear black? very different practice than in other countries.

[Appleich]

As many forumers here may concern, I can confirm that the next reign is going to be a sole monarch which is King Vachilalongkorn. The law may entitled HRH Princess Sirindhorn to ascend the throne but that prospect is practically impossible since the Crown Princess is older, a male heir and controls the army (which the Princess does not).

And I can assure you that the last thing that the entire nation wants at this moment is having Thailand becoming a republic.

His Majesty's body will be moved from Siriraj Hospital to Dusit Mahaprasat Hall in the Grand Palace this afternoon at 15.00 Hr. (GMT+7). You can watch a live television coverage from link I previously posted (Thai PBS Live).

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For the question regarding of foreign royals attending the cremation ceremony, there was a presence from Japanese Imperial Family by HRH Prince and Princess of Akishino at HRH Princess Mother Srinagrindra's ceremony in 1996. Royals from Brunei and Malaysia also presented as well.

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[Jeannedeorleans]

Originally Posted by Biri

Cremation after several months?
And where the body will be held until the cremation? In a hospital freezer?

As per Thai tradition, body of passed royals would be lying in state in Dusit Throne Hall in various urns according to their ranks. Traditionally, the body is held in knee-up sitting position, but His Majesty in the Golden Urn requested that his mother and sister be rested in a coffin that placed behind an altar (that placed the said urn). However for the funeral of Princess Petcharat, she requested to be in sitting position in the urn as per tradition.

[Victoria's Secret]

It will take at least a year -- if not longer -- to prepare for King Bhumibol's royal funeral and cremation, and it will be unlike anything seen in our time. I also have no doubt that it will be the biggest congregation of royalty and heads of state seen in many, many years. Until then, for the most part, Thai people will wear black or sombre colours to pay respect during the official year-long mourning period.


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[carlota]

thanks for the insider knowledge! how very interesting. what will happen to the body until the funeral takes place? i assume it will be cremated?

[Victoria's Secret]

Originally Posted by carlota

thanks for the insider knowledge! how very interesting. what will happen to the body until the funeral takes place? i assume it will be cremated?

Carlota, the cremation will take place after the funeral rites and ceremonies, a year or more from now. Until then, His Majesty's body will be embalmed (after the official royal bathing rites ceremony taking place today I believe) and I'm actually not sure at this stage where it will be kept (but most certainly at a very special, private place). I'll try to find out where.


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[carlota]

Victoria's Secret - thanks! i wasn't sure if maybe they'd cremate him now and then do the funeral, but it makes sense to embalm him. is it traditionary to show the body of the defunct in thailand?

[Jeannedeorleans]

Originally Posted by carlota

Victoria's Secret - thanks! i wasn't sure if maybe they'd cremate him now and then do the funeral, but it makes sense to embalm him. is it traditionary to show the body of the defunct in thailand?

The body is not showed, the body will be placed in the Great Golden Urn (Extremely beautiful 208 years old national treasure, built by King Rama I)

[Ephram]

The roads around Bangkok will be closed for procession of the King's mortal remains from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace. BERNAMA - Roads In Bangkok To Be Closed For Procession Of King's Body

[Victoria's Secret]

Originally Posted by carlota

Victoria's Secret - thanks! i wasn't sure if maybe they'd cremate him now and then do the funeral, but it makes sense to embalm him. is it traditionary to show the body of the defunct in thailand?

No, that's simply not done, ever -- not for a member of the Royal family anyway. With civilian cremations it can be requested, but it's not very common.

I've established that His Majesty's remains will be moved this afternoon from Sirirat Hospital to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew complex. Here, at a private annex (one of the throne halls), is where the Royal bathing rites and embalming will take place, and also where His Majesty's body will remain until the eventual funeral and cremation a year (or more) later. This area is strictly prohibited and cannot be visited by members of the public.


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[eya]

Thais gather around Sanam Luang to wait for royal procession http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thais-gather-around-Sanam-Luang-to-wait-for-royal--30297682.html …

[principessa]

A message from King Willem-Alexander to Queen Sirikit:

Reactie Z.M. de Koning na overlijden Koning van Thailand | Nieuwsbericht | Het Koninklijk Huis

And from Queen Margrethe II:

H.M. Dronningen sender kondolence til H.M. Dronning Sirikit af Thailand | Kongehuset

[Jacknch]

Please note that a number of posts relating to succession of the throne of Thailand have been moved to the following thread:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ml#post1931861

Some posts which mention the issue of succession but also offer condolences or discuss the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej have remained in this thread.

[Osipi]

After hearing of the death of HM, The King and searching for and reading about the traditions and the rituals and the meaning behind them that happen when someone dies and watching the cremation ceremony of the King's elder sister, all I can say is that I'm totally humbled and speechless. It was my first foray into the death of a Buddhist royal and their funeral and I just found everything about it touching and beautiful and so very meaningful.

"In the end, these things matter most. How well did you love? How fully did you live? How deeply did you let go?"

[principessa]

From King Harald of Norway:

kongehuset.no - Kondolanse

[Jacknch]

From the BBC:

Thai king death: Thousands throng streets for funeral procession - BBC News

In case anyone is planning a trip to the Kingdom of Thailand, here is some information for tourists:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia...3698435096#_=_

[carlota]

such reverence - not only the printed newspapers were printed in black and white, the web newspaper services have also done so: The Nation - Thailand's News in English

i expect the funeral will bring a similar royal crowd to those who attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of King Bhumibol in Bangkok back in 2006. for memory:

12 Monarchs/Heads of State

* His Majesty Preach Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia
* His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar
* His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait
* His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan
* His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan
* His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam
* His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII of Malaysia
* His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco
* His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
* His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho
* His Majesty King Mswati of Swaziland
* His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (with Queen Silvia)

13 Representatives

* His Royal Highness Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark
* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a of Tonga
* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (with Crown Princess Mette-Marit & Prince Sverre Magnus)
* His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange of The Netherlands (with Crown Princess Maxima)
* His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa of Bahrain
* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium (with Crown Princess Mathilde)
* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan
* Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma Bennani of Morocco
* Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain
* His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
* His Royal Highness the Duke of York of the United Kingdom
* His Serene Highness Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein
* His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Taimour Al Said of Oman

from: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...-a-8814-2.html

that was a true royal gathering and brought royals from all over the world.