Supachai Suthumphand and Zabeeda Thaiset inspected the progress of the construction of the royal crematorium and related structures for the royal cremation ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, revealing that the structural work is 50% complete.
On 5 June 2026 at the Vithan Sathapok Sala building (model expansion hall) at Sanam Luang, Mrs. Supachai Suthumphand, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, conducted an on-site inspection to monitor the progress of the construction of the royal crematorium, its ancillary buildings, the restoration of the royal chariots and palanquins, and the creation of ceremonial equipment for the royal cremation ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. She was accompanied by Ms. Zabeeda Thaiset, Minister of Culture; Mr. Prasop Riansen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture; and Mr. Phanomphut Chantrachot, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, who reported on the progress of the crematorium construction, ancillary buildings, restoration of royal chariots and palanquins, and ceremonial equipment creation. Afterwards, Mrs. Supachai visited the Royal Chariot Workshop at the National Museum in Phra Nakhon to monitor restoration and repair work on the royal chariots and palanquins.
Following the inspection, Mr. Phanomphut Chantrachot, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, stated that the work is progressing according to plan. Construction of the royal crematorium and its ancillary buildings is 23.65% complete overall, with foundation work finished and structural work 50% complete. Architectural work is 10% complete. The Throne Hall of the Royal Funeral Carriage is 60% complete structurally. The halls for the Jury and the agricultural and timber sections are progressing as planned. The wrinkled gold leaf used to decorate the crematorium base has been procured from China, with progress on schedule. Completion is expected by 31 October. However, with the rainy season approaching, construction of the crematorium and Throne Hall will focus on completing the roofs by the end of June. The pavilion in front of the Suthaisawan Prasat Throne Hall has finished foundation work, while the pavilions near Wat Pho and at Sanam Luang are still working on foundations.
The Director-General further explained that the decorative arts for the crematorium include mural paintings inside the crematorium and Throne Hall, murals decorating the backdrop of the pavilion near Wat Pho, and sculptures such as Brahma faces, seated deities holding fans, standing deities, and phoenix columns, all currently in progress. The creation of the royal urn, royal coffin, sandalwood ornaments, and sandalwood logs is underway. Ten designs for the royal urn, coffin, and sandalwood ornaments have been completed. Twenty-five sandalwood logs are being turned and the designs adjusted. The royal urns for the royal ashes include one large urn (80 cm), four smaller urns (65 cm), one container for the royal remains, and one stone container for the remains, all designed and completed. Ceremonial furniture including book cabinets, desks with chairs, and altar tables numbering 45 sets in four designs, 10 mother-of-pearl inlaid trays, and 19 lamp stands have all been designed and completed.
Mr. Phanomphut added that restoration and conservation of the royal chariots, palanquins, and accompanying equipment—such as the Maha Phichai Ratcharot, Vejayantra Ratcharot, Royal Small Chariot, Three-Pole Royal Palanquin, Rachenthrayan Throne, and Worasivikakan—are underway. Two dragon staircases and trays supporting royal urns are being conserved through scientific methods and fine arts detailing, with completion targeted for September to allow for royal chariot rehearsal exercises. Additionally, the Tisabum Workshop has been tasked with producing ceremonial fans for the royal merit-making ceremonies for the cremation, royal ashes, Buddhist ordinations, and Chinese-Vietnamese rituals, with the Sirikit Institute responsible for embroidery. Meanwhile, Mrs. Supachai, as Chairperson of the Royal Crematorium Construction Committee, has appointed a subcommittee to advise and provide recommendations on organizing exhibitions related to the royal cremation ceremony.