Photos

On 15 November 2008, the state funeral was held in Bangkok for the Princess Galyani Vadhana. The older sister of both King Ananda Mahidol (Rama 8th) and King Bumypol Adulyadej (Rama 9th). She was a much loved member of the Royal Family and was very active in supporting the arts. I often attended concerts where the Princess was guest of honour. As a princess of the royal blood, she was accorded a state funeral and cremation. This took place 100 days after her passing. Traditionally, royal remains are cremated in an intricately decorated urn of sandalwood. This is what we see in the funeral coach here. In fact, following the precedent of her royal mother, Princess Galyani was cremated in an ordinary coffin, which was transported to the cremation site on Bangkok’s Royal Field separately. I took some pictures on the day despite the heat and the dense crowds, but when I looked at them I was disappointed and did nothing about them. Today, however, I chance to look at them again and they didn’t look too bad. So I decided to upload one after all. It shows a very rare full state funeral in the Siamese tradition.( better framed image)