Crematorium design approved

His Majesty the King has approved the design for the royal crematorium of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejraratana Rajasuda.

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His Majesty approves design for crematorium of Princess

Lamphai Intathep

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem said yesterday His Majesty the King had approved the design for the royal crematorium of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejraratana Rajasuda.

Construction of the royal pyre is set to begin at the end of next month for the late princess's cremation. Ms Sukumol said that apart from the royal crematorium, the ministry would also be responsible for making the royal urn from fragrant sandalwood, restoring the royal chariot and palanquin to be used during the funeral procession and publishing a chronicle and commemorative books about the princess.

"Everything will be completed in time for the funeral event which will be held on April 9 next year at Sanam Luang," she said.

HRH Princess Bejraratana died from a blood infection on July 27 at age 85.

The royal crematorium has been designed by Air Vice Marshal Arvuth Ngoenchuklin, former director-general of the Fine Arts Department and a national artist in Thai architecture. He was also responsible for designing the crematorium for the Princess Mother, HRH Princess Srinagarindra and HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

"The royal crematorium for HRH Princess Bejraratana Rajasuda will be similar to that of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana but smaller," Mr Arvuth said. "It will also have a different top."

He said that the construction of the royal crematorium – which will be 28 metres wide, 30 metres long and 33 metres tall – is expected to start around the end of October.

The crematorium, the surrounding buildings and other parts will be constructed at the National Theatre. They will be assembled at Sanam Luang at the end of the year. Assembly will take three months and is expected to be completed by March.

Somsuda Leyavanija, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, said about a hundred architects, engineers, sculptors, artists and craft people would take part in constructing the royal crematorium.

approve – to give official permission อนุมัต
crematorium – the place where a cremation takes place เมรุ
construction – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. การก่อสร้าง
pyre – (in Thailand) a temporary wooden structure for use during a cremation ceremony, especially for a member of the royal family; a pile of wood used for burning a dead body during a funeral ceremony โครงไม้ที่ใช้สร้างพลับพลาพระราชทานเพลิงพระศพ
cremation – the burning of a dead body การเผาศพ (งานพระราชทานเพลิงพระศพ)
urn – a container for the ashes of a dead person after the body has been burnt  โกศ, พระโกศ
fragrant – having a pleasant smell หอม, หอมหวน, หอมหวาน
sandalwood – a wood obtained from a hard tropical tree which contains a type of oil with a sweet smell and is used to make perfume  ไม้จันทน์,  ต้นไม้จันทน์
restore – to bring back to good condition ฟื้นฟูสภาพ
(royal) chariot – typically a vehicle with two wheels and no roof that is pulled by horses ราชรถ
palanquin – a covered seat carried on poles held parallel to the ground on the shoulders of two or four people, used in former times to transport an important person, especially in East Asia เกี้ยว
funeral – a ceremony that takes place after someone dies, usually including a religious ceremony งานศพ
funeral procession – a line of people and vehicles taking part in a royal funeral ขบวนราชรถ
chronicle – a written record of events in the order in which they happened   บันทึกเหตุการณ์, บันทึกเรื่องราวมตามลำดับเวลา
commemorative – a done in order to remember an important person or event เป็นที่ระลึก
infection – a disease or medical condition that is caused by a bacteria or by a virus or a parasite การติดเชื้อ
architecture – a particular style or way of designing buildings สถาปัตยกรรม, รูปแบบการก่อสร้าง
surrounding – all around a place  บริเวณรอบๆ
assemble – to make something by joining separate parts ประกอบ
architect – a person whose job is to design new buildings and make certain that they are built correctly สถาปนิก
sculptor – an artist who makes sculptures ช่างแกะสลัก
craft people – people who make beautiful or practical objects using their hands ช่างฝีมือ