Worshiping ceremony for royal chariots, palanquins

BANGKOK, December 20 (TNA) - Thailand's Fine Arts Department has held a worshipping ceremony for the renovation of royal chariots and royal palanquins to be used in next year's royal cremation ceremony of late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, who chairs the royal crematory construction committee, presided over the Brahmin worshipping ceremony at Bangkok's National Museum, opposite Sanam Luang ceremonial ground, on December 19. The general public are also allowed to view the royal chariots and palanquins everyday at the National Museum during 9am-4pm from now until January 31, 2017. The renovation is expected to be completed by September 2017. The royal chariots and palanquins were built in the early Rattanakosin era, which was established over 200 years ago, and have been used in royal cremation ceremonies of late Thai Kings and members of the royal families ever since. Meanwhile, sandalwood planks, delivered from the Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, were set to arrive at the Office of the Traditional Arts in Bangkok's neighboring Nakhon Pathom Province on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a water–pouring ceremony on the wood planks to be used to make the royal urn of the late and revered Thai monarch. Recently, dead-standing sandalwood trees were cut at the Kui Buri National Park and then processed into various shapes and sizes for craftsmen who are now ready to begin the delicate and magnificent artworks for the late and beloved Thai King. (TNA)