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Published on February 13, 2008

"While the structures shall befit royalty, the construction will be made with local, low-cost materials," Avudh Ngernchuklin said yesterday in his capacity as chairman of the panel in charge of designing and constructing the royal crematorium.

His Majesty's elder sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, passed away at the age of 84 on January 2. Her body now lies in state at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace.

Authorities are preparing to construct a royal crematorium and its surrounding structures at Sanam Luang.

According to Avudh, the blueprint for the royal cremation is 70 per cent complete, while the design for the prayer hall is about 30 per cent complete.

"They will done in the Thai agricultural style," Avudh said, adding that the main pillars of the royal crematorium would likely be set up in late March or early April.

Avudh was speaking after he convened a meeting of officials. He has instructed authorities to report to the Fine Arts Department as to how much money would be needed for the repair and renovations of items to be used in the cremation.

The Nation