[Thailand News] The Royal Cremation of Princess Bejaratana Scheduled for 9 April 2012.

[Thailand News] The Royal Cremation of Princess Bejaratana Scheduled for 9 April 2012.
Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/
Cr. - http://www.soravij.com/bejaratana.html

His Majesty the King has granted permission for the organizing of the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana on 9 April 2012.

The National Commission on the Royal Cremation Ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, has been informed that the construction of the crematorium for the Princess would begin on December 15 this year.

Princess Bejaratana, the only child of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), passed away on July 27 this year. The construction of the royal crematorium at the Sanam Luang ceremonial site in Bangkok will be completed in four months, in time for the royal cremation ceremony. The body of the Princess is lying in state at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace compound. The Fine Arts Department has already completed the design of the royal crematorium.

The Office of the Permanent Secretary, under the Prime Minister’s Office, was told by the National Commission on the Royal Cremation Ceremony to send a letter to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary, asking for royal permission for the Government to invite His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to serve as advisors for the royal cremation ceremony.

The 100-day merit-making ceremony after the death of Princess Bejaratana will take place on Thursday, November 3, at 07.00 hr, at the Sanam Luang ceremonial site. His Majesty the King declared a 100-day mourning period for royal members and royal court officials.

The National Commission on the Royal Cremation Ceremony, during its meeting on September 30, approved the appointment of seven committees to help in the organizing of the ceremony, with the highest honor accorded to the Princess.

The seven committees include the Committee on the Organizing of the Royal Cremation Ceremony, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Yongyoot Wichaidit; the Committee on of the Royal Rank Procession in the Royal Cremation Ceremony, chaired by the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces; the Committee on the Construction of the Royal Crematorium and Surrounding Structures, and the Renovation of Royal Chariots and Royal Palanquins, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Police General Kowit Wattana; the Committee on Public Relations, chaired by Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Kitsana Seehalak; the Committee on Security and Traffic, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Ubumrung; the Committee on Commemorative Books and Historical Records, chaired by Minister of Culture Sukumol Kunplome; and the Committee on Budget Request Screening, chaired by the Budget Director of the Bureau of the Budget.




Bejaratana Rajasuda

Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand (RTGS: Phetcharat Ratchasuda Sirisophaphannawadi; Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าภคินีเธอ เจ้าฟ้าเพชรรัตนราชสุดา สิริโสภาพัณณวดี, 24 November 1925 – 27 July 2011) was the only child of the King Vajiravudh of Thailand. She was a first cousin of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin of King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.

Her funeral is scheduled for April 9, 2012 at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok.




Biography :

Princess Bejaratana was born on 24 November 1925 in the Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok, the only child of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and Princess Suvadhana. After having seen his daughter one time, the King died the following day. Her uncle, who became King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), performed the naming ceremony for the princess on 30 December.

Princess Benjaratana and her mother moved to Suan Hongsa Villa in Dusit Palace, where she received her education from a private tutor. They moved in with Queen Sri Savarindira (the Queen Dowager) during World War II, and the princess attended Rajani School until she was 12. She and her mother then moved to England, where she received continued her education and took medication for her poor health. She first stayed at Fairhill Villa in Surrey, before settling in Brighton.

In November 1957, Princess Bejaratana returned to Thailand. They bought land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and build Ruenruedi Villa Palace. The princess proceeded to undertake her duties of representing the Royal Family. Her special interests were in education, public health, Buddhism, the soldiers and police stationed at Thailand's borders, and general public's welfare.

Princess Bejaratana was known privately to be very gifted, especially with numbers. She could calculate the day of the week for any dates presented to her without any hesitation, and remembered the birthdays of all individuals who were presented to her.

Near the end of her life she had cut down on her Royal duties because of her age, but ocassionally still did work relating to her royal father.

Princess Bejaratana died on 27 July 2011 at 4.37 pm at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok aged 85.


Titles and styles :

- 30 December 1925 – 10 July 1935 : Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda.
- 10 July 1935 – 27 July 2011 : Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda, the Princess Cousin.