Officials Harvest Fragrant Sandalwood for Royal Funeral Rites

Deputy Prime Minister Supalee Suthammaphand and Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chomklin joined a ceremonial sandalwood harvesting at Khui Buri National Park to provide timber for the funeral rites of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation identified and selected 20 naturally fallen sandalwood trees within the park following ancient royal custom. The ceremony began at 11:09 a.m. with Air Chief Marshal Somkid Sukhbang presiding, conducting sacred water rituals and blessing the trees while traditional instruments sounded. A golden axe was blessed before the first ceremonial cut, followed by flower offerings as attendees collected ritual items for blessings. Minister Suchat stated that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry fully supported the undertaking out of respect for the late princess's service to Thai people and the nation's natural resources. The selection process was conducted with careful attention to both ancient tradition and sustainable conservation. Khui Buri National Park covers approximately 969 square kilometers with diverse forest types including dry dipterocarp, moist dipterocarp, and mixed deciduous forests, home to many rare tree species including fragrant sandalwood (Mansonia gagei). The park was identified as one of Thailand's premier sources of high-quality sandalwood suitable for royal ceremonies. The 20 selected trees are naturally deceased specimens with an average circumference of 150 centimeters, aged over 100 years, featuring dense wood with yellow-brown coloring and distinctive fragrance as required by ancient tradition. Selecting naturally fallen trees maintains ecological balance without harming living forest.