BANGKOK, April 9 – The Royal Cremation Ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi, the only child of King Rama VI, began early Monday as the royal urn was moved from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace to the specially-built Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the ceremony in the morning as thousands of black-clad Thais waited along the streets where the procession was scheduled to pass to pay their last respects to the late princess.
HRH Princess Bejaratana, first cousin of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was admitted to Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital on July 13 last year for bloodstream infection. Her condition worsened and she passed away on July 27.
She was born Nov 24, 1925 at the Grand Palace and was the only child of King Rama VI and Princess Suvadhana. Her father the King himself died one day after her birth.
Her main duties included continuing the legacy of her father in scouting matters for boys and girls, giving out scholarships and partaking in school activities following the inheritance of her grandmother Queen Prasripatcharindara of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V), as well as being a patron of public social welfare, religion, and the armed services.
The ancient rites of the royal cremation ceremony started with the royal urn containing the remains of Princess Bejaratana was transferred from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang ceremonial site at 7am before the symbolic royal cremation would be held at 4.30pm, followed by the actual royal cremation at 10pm.
Public performances including Khon traditional Thai drama, great shadow plays, and puppet shows will be held on three open-air stages at Sanam Luang from 7pm on Monday to 6am on Tuesday.
