A thousand Shrines

The dismantling of the crematorium, which is scheduled to be completed by tomorrow, began at 9.09am when 100 officials tackled the seven-tier white umbrella at its top.

Earlier, a large crowd show-ed up with plastic bags to collect the colourful morning glory, dragon's tongue, geraniums and marigolds after being given permission to do so by the Doi Tung Development Project.

Pravit Boonmee, an official from the project's agricultural division, said key plants such as persimmon, rubiaceae and bonsai trees had been removed at 5am to decorate the Royal Palace and the Princess Mother Memorial Park.

City resident Jamras Prasat-nok, 60, said his early start had been worth it: he arrived at 7am, in time to collect a bagful of marigolds, regarded as auspicious flowers, to grow at home.

Dismantling begins

The official in charge, Suchat Chaiyasopi, announced that the structure would be dismantled from the top down. Then, observed by a large crowd, workers using a large crane began the tricky job of removing the soaring white umbrella. Deco-rative items inside the crematorium were moved to the Songtham Pavilion, pending instructions from the Fine Arts Department.

Director-General of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Apinan Poshya-nanda, said the 84 paintings by Thai artists depicting the life and work of the late Princess would be moved from the crematorium site's exhibition.

His office will present the paintings to HM the King before displaying them at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in an exhibition slated for December 9 to 27.