KANCHANABURI- Almost a quarter of a million yellow marigold plants will be grown in this western province for use in the royal cremation ceremonies for the late King Bhumibol Ayulyadej in October.
Representatives from the military, local authorities, local leaders and agricultural experts on Wednesday met in Muang district to discuss the planting of a large number of marigold flowers for use in the royal funeral of the late King Rama IX.
Plans call for a total of 230,000 marigold plants on a 35-rai land plot in Muang district, with planting to begin on Aug 1. The flowers are expected to bloom between Oct 12 and 22, said a senior official at the meeting.
Attending the meeting were Maj Gen Rangsi Kitiyansap, adviser to the 1st Infantry Regiment commander, Kanchanaburi’s Muang district chief Pote Ruvoranan and other senior officials in the province.
130,000 of the yellow marigold plants will be given to provincial authorities to decorate government offices in the province during the royal cremation ceremonies. The remaining 100,000 marigolds will be used for the royal cremation ceremonies at Sanam Luang. Yellow is the colour of the late monarch because he was born on a Monday.
The royal cremation ceremonies for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej are scheduled for Oct 25-29, with the cremation proper to be held on Oct 26.
The government earlier urged people across the country to plant marigolds to show loyalty to the late King.
A total of 230,000 yellow marigold plants will be grown on a 35-rai land plot in Kanchanaburi for use in the royal cremation ceremonies for the late King. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)