[Article] Royal Palanquins using in the ceremony.

[Article] Royal Palanquins using in the ceremony.
Information by -- Prapaiparn Rathamarit


The Royal Palanquins or called in Thai as 'Ratcha Yan', are the other vehicles using in the upcoming Royal Cremation Ceremony of the late Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda on 9th April 2012.



Phra Thinang Rachanedhrayan

The throne is said to be one of the finest pieces of art in the Kingdom. An ancient line says 'beautiful as Phra Thinang Rachanedhrayan'. The wooden throne was gilded and decorated with stained glass throughout, plus 14 Garudas, which captured the Nagas round it. Dating back to the reign of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I the Great), the throne was made for grand processions, called 'four-row processions', with four rows each on the left and right. Because the heavy throne takes 56 bearers to shoulder its four carrying posts, it was used only for short trips. The longest was made by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V the Great) from the Royal Palace to the east of Sanam Luang on the 100th anniversary of Rattanakosin Era, now better-known as Bangkok. This throne will be used to transport the Royal Cinerary Urn containing the Royal Relics during Processions Four and Five.



The Three-poled Golden Palanquin (Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan)

This large, elaborate vehicle is used to transport the Royal Urn. It is made of teak wood, carved, gilded and decorated with small mirrors. The palanquin, with back and side supports, is borne on three poles for better distribution of weight. It needs two shifts of 60 bearers to support its weight.




The Royal Palanquin (Saliang Kleeb Bua)

A Royal Palanquin is a wheel-less vehicle consisting of a sedan chair and two poles, designed to be carried by human bearers. In earlier times it was part of the Royal Regalia denoting the monarch’s rank and was used for travelling to ceremonies or informal occasions.

There is evidence that Royal Palanquins were in use at least as early asthe Lop Buri Period. They were first mentioned during the Ayutthaya Period. Thai Royal Family Law, issued in AD 1459 during the reign of King Borom Trailokanat, makes it clear that palanquins were used only by the Royal Family and members of the nobility.



The Golden Palanquin with Two Carrying Poles (Phra Wor Sri Wikakanchana)

This 111-year-old wooden palanquin was first designed for a female monarch who accompanied King Rama V on a land journey. It later served monks with ecclesiastical titles and was used for funeral ceremonies. The lightweight palanquin, standing about 84.5cm wide, 145cm long and 109cm tall, requires 16 bearers. In this ceremony, it will transport the Royal Container of ashes from the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang to the Grand Palace during the Fourth Procession.