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Thailand plans lavish funeral
08/01/2008 16:02 - (SA)
Bangkok - Thailand's prime minister on Tuesday approved a nearly $9m budget for a lavish funeral for the sister of the nation's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died last week.
The government plans to construct a vast crematorium in a park near the Bangkok's Grand Palace for the funeral of Princess Galyani, who died of cancer on January 2 at age 84.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters that his government would spend 300 million baht for the funeral, which will likely be held in five or six months.
In the meantime, her body is lying in a teak coffin, surrounded by golden urns and jewelled decorations at the Grand Palace.
Near her body, a band plays traditional music and Buddhist monks chant prayers every three hours around the clock - a routine that will last for 100 days.
The government plans to convert the Sanam Luang park space near the Grand Palace into a sprawling funeral site that will include a lavish pyre designed by one of the country's top artists. Cremation is the usual funeral rite in Buddhist Thailand.
The compound will include pavilions, halls to showcase her life's work, and a rest area, while artists are already busy restoring royal chariots to carry her body to the funeral.
The nation has declared 15 days of official mourning, with everyone from television announcers to street vendors dressed in black out of respect to the princess, who was the only sister of the king.
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