This evening (18 October 2017 at 17.00 hr), His Majesty
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will preside over
the ceremony of placing the
Nine-tiered Great White Umbrella of State (Nopphapadon Maha Sawetta
Chat) at the top of the Royal
Crematorium (Phra
Merumas), at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.
After a ceremony at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall,
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will also grant
Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the Governor of
Bangkok, and governors or
representatives from 76 provinces boxes containing the Royal Flame
for the symbolic fire-lighting for the Royal Cremation Ceremony at 85 locations
nationwide and 94 locations abroad, which will be held at 17.00 hr on 26
October 2017.
The Nine-tiered Great White Umbrella of State, which is part of the
Royal Regalia, is reserved for a king who has performed a royal coronation
ceremony in accordance with royal ancient traditions. It is made of white cloth
in nine tiers, each decorated with three levels of golden bands, the last one
with floral tassels. The umbrella of state is raised on various occasions. For
example, it is placed over the Royal Crematorium and the Golden Palanquin with
Three Poles (Phra Yannamas Sam Lam Khan), in the procession to transfer the
Royal Urn to the funeral pyre at the Royal Crematorium. The Nine-tiered Great
White Umbrella stands 5.10 meters tall and is 1.20 meters wide.