PM Orders Preparations for Two Royal Cremation Ceremonies

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered preparations for the royal cremation ceremony for "Phra Phan Pee Luang" in mid-December 2026 and coordinated the cremation ceremony for "Princess Bajrakitiyabha" in the second quarter of 2027, with ceremonial formats adjusted but existing structures reused, emphasizing maximum reverence for both royal personages.

At 9:20 AM on October 26, 2026, at the Ministry of Interior, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting to drive the ministry's key missions. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai joined via video conference from Chiang Rai where he was on duty.

Anutin stated he wanted to assign the matter of readiness for organizing the royal cremation ceremony for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, which will take place in mid-December 2026. For the public in Bangkok and the regions, pavilions will be arranged for offering sandalwood flowers. He urged every provincial governor to proceed with utmost reverence. Though time is short, this must be considered an extremely important mission, and he asked for accelerated readiness checks in all aspects to ensure smooth, efficient, and reverent operations.

Additionally, he asked all provinces to coordinate continuous preparations because the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati will follow consecutively, within a period of structural component improvements and repairs not exceeding half a year, in the first two quarters of 2027. Therefore, these must be regarded as consecutive royal ceremonies. Since the two royal personages hold different royal statuses, ceremonial formats must be adjusted. However, regarding structural matters — venues, structural engineering, and royal crematoria — His Majesty the King has graciously permitted continued use of the existing structures, yielding substantial budget savings.

Anutin continued that therefore, in terms of readiness preparation, the format must maximize reverence for both royal personages. He asked every provincial governor to receive the policy and orders and implement them swiftly, and asked the Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary to monitor progress at all times to minimize obstacles and problems.