Wednesday, January 09, 2008

B300 million approved for royal funeral

B300 million approved for royal funeral

PRADIT RUANGDIT

The crematorium designed for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, in the shape of a traditional Thai pavilion with a tall spire and four porticos. The design will be presented to His Majesty the King for royal advice. — APICHIT JINAKUL

The cabinet yesterday approved a 300-million-baht budget for the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

The money will be drawn from the 2008 central budget set aside for emergency purposes.

Group Captain Arvuth Ngernchuklin, designer of the royal crematorium, said two blueprints have already been presented to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for advice.

She favoured the design which was in the shape of a traditional Thai pavilion with four porticos and a seven-tiered spire, said Group Capt Arvuth.

The design will also be presented to His Majesty the King for royal advice.

The committee overseeing the royal cremation has set up five sub-committees to assist its work.

The sub-committees will respectively arrange the royal cremation; build the crematorium and related structures, and restore royal funeral chariots; handle public relations affairs; oversee security and traffic management; and take charge of the production of commemorative books and archives documenting the royal funeral.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has sent letters requesting HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to be advisers to the committee.

If they agree to the request, they will be asked to chair committee meetings, Khunying Dhipavadee said.

Meanwhile, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sent a letter of condolence to His Majesty the King.

''I was saddened to hear of the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. Her death will be a great loss to the Thai people. I send my deepest sympathy,'' the British queen said in the letter.

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