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Published on February 1, 2008

With his approval, officials have the green light to produce their design.

"His Majesty has examined the design and approved it," Caretaker Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon said yesterday.

After Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana passed away at the age of 84 on January 2, her body was placed inside the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Hundreds of thousands of black-clad mourners have since flocked to the throne hall to pay their respects.

Avudh Ngernchuklin, chair of a panel designing and constructing the Princess's royal cremation, said yesterday four elevators would be installed at the royal crematorium and nearby structures for His Majesty to use when he attends the royal cremation.

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is now preparing to submit more than 170 processed sandalwood sheets to the Fine Arts Department as material for the construction of the royal crematorium, Avudh said.

"The submission will take place on February 11," he said.

On the mythical-animal sculptures, Avudh said four had been chosen: half-bird angels, half-lion angels, club carrying, bird-headed Garudas (to ward off bad people from attending the cremation) and swans.

"Our team has consulted ancient records from the reign of King Rama III before selecting these legendary animals," Avudh said.

The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture director Apinan Poshyananda said his office had already appointed a panel of experts to handpick 84 outstanding painters to create the 84 paintings of the Princess.

"These paintings will be on display between November and December at a structure near the royal crematorium," Apinan said.

He said the paintings would also be published in commemorative books to be distributed at the royal cremation.

In a related development, Khaisri revealed HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn would be appointed honorary advisor to the Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music. "The plan to establish this institute started before the Princess passed away. Now, it's like a memorial to her," Khaisri said.

Princess Galyani had been an ardent classical music lover and a major patron for young musical talent.

According to Khaisri, the Princess' daughter Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram, Privy Councillor Usni Pramoj and Khunying Wongjan Pinainitisart will serve as the institute's advisors.

"The institute should be able to recruit its first batch of students within the next five years," Khaisri said.

The Nation