Unveiling the model of the Royal Crematorium for the Royal Cremation Ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
At 10:00 a.m. on 26 January 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced progress on the construction of the Royal Crematorium and related structures for the Royal Cremation Ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. He was joined by Mr. Bowornsak Uwanno, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Royal Crematorium Construction Committee, Mr. Santi Piyatat, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, and Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture.
The Prime Minister stated that the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, on 24 October 2025 GMT+7, brought deep mourning to the people nationwide. To ensure the royal cremation ceremony is conducted according to royal tradition and befitting her dignity, His Majesty the King graciously appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as the advisor for the ceremony's organization. The Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture has been tasked with designing and constructing the Royal Crematorium, its accompanying structures, restoring the royal chariots and palanquins, and designing the royal urn, coffin, and ceremonial utensils, all under the King's royal approval of the government's proposals.
Regarding the design of the Royal Crematorium, the Fine Arts Department follows principles that strictly adhere to ancient royal traditions combined with artistic beauty reflecting Her Majesty's royal virtues and kindness to the Thai people. The Royal Crematorium's pinnacle is shaped like a transformed crown, inspired by the royal insignia, with a seven-tiered overlapping roof resembling the Grand Palace. The spire features the Brahma face symbolizing her ascension to the heavenly realm after passing and representing her title as “Mother of the Land,” who performed royal duties like a mother caring for her children. The topmost part is adorned with the nine-tiered white umbrella (Nopphapadon Maha Sawet Chatra) symbolizing the highest royal rank.
The Royal Crematorium has a square plan with a castle-like structure extending on four sides, situated atop a two-tiered base decorated with angelic figures symbolizing her ascension to heaven. The roof is muted blue with alternating beetle-wing green colors. Each gable is decorated with the initials S.K. on a blue background, the color of Friday—the day of her birth—with a pink backdrop symbolizing auspiciousness on her birthday. The gable arches are crafted in the form of a female arch, inspired by the crown and royal necklace she wore during her lifetime. Decorative patterns are inspired by various plants associated with the name “Sirikit.” The ceremonial fire screen was crafted by artisans from the Sirikit Institute, established under Her Majesty's royal benevolence.
The landscape surrounding the Royal Crematorium is arranged according to the concept of the cosmic universe, decorated with circular ponds surrounded by mythological creatures and characters from the Ramakien epic, symbolizing her royal efforts to preserve Khon dance performances. Additionally, accompanying structures include the Throne Hall, the Jury Pavilion, agricultural storage, and timber structures for receiving and hosting diplomats and guests attending the ceremony.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has supplied sandalwood for crafting the royal urn and coffin to the Ten Artisan Regiment of the Fine Arts Department. Designs and patterns are being expanded for the construction of the urn for the royal remains, made from gold with Ratchawadi enamel and decorated with gemstones, shaped as an octagon with a crown-shaped pinnacle, following ancient traditional designs.
Furthermore, His Majesty the King graciously ordered the creation of ceremonial furniture to be bestowed to royal temples and religious sites, including altars, bookshelves, desks with shelves, chairs in four designs, and lamps. Construction of the Royal Crematorium will begin in February and is scheduled for completion in October 2026. Subsequently, the design will be respectfully presented to His Majesty the King for royal approval to set the date for the Royal Cremation Ceremony.