Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will chair a top-level meeting on June 26 to direct essential preparations for the royal funeral of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
After a meeting with ceremony organisers on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the June 26 meeting will consider issues that need to be addressed in preparing for the ceremony.
The princess will chair the June 26 meeting as preparations for the royal funeral are picking up pace. The royal funeral ceremonies of the late King are scheduled for Oct 25-29.
The cremation will take place at Sanam Luang on Oct 26 which has been declared a public holiday to allow people to attend the event.
Mr Wissanu said he oversees the arrangement of ceremonial procedures, which need to be mapped out and precisely followed through.
People are invited to make the dok mai chan cremation flowers as plans are being discussed over where the flowers, which are expected to be produced by the general public in huge amounts, will be placed at the royal cremation.
Mr Wissanu said locations around the country may be designated for people to lay down the dok mai chan sandalwood flowers before and on the royal cremation day.
The flowers placed before the royal cremation day will be collected for use on the actual day.
He said the two-day arrangement will help ease crowds on cremation day.
Some of the dok mai chan collected from around the country will be selected and brought to the royal crematorium.
The dok mai chan made overseas will be burned or buried in their respective countries depending on the culture associated with honouring the deceased.
The deputy premier said during the royal funeral period, Sanam Luang which is the ceremonial ground, will be off-limits to unauthorised persons.
However, the adjacent National Theatre will be open to the public where performances accompanying the royal funeral will be staged.
The government is in charge of inviting guests to the royal cremation for which between 7,000 and 7,500 seats will be reserved. Mr Wissanu explained the number of seats could be subject to adjustment later.
The deputy premier said there would be no parking spaces for private vehicles around Sanam Luang during the funeral. Guests and dignitaries are advised to park their cars at nearby state agencies and take a shuttle bus to Sanam Luang.
The deputy premier said the royal cremation day will be marked by three events; the procession transferring the royal urn containing the late King's body to Sanam Luang in the morning; the ceremonial cremation itself taking place at around 5pm; and the actual cremation at about 10pm.
Details of how people can participate in the ceremonies and what other things the government must do to prepare for the royal funeral will be fleshed out at the June 26 meeting, according to Mr Wissanu.
He said although no invitation would be extended to foreign guests, foreign dignitaries who wish to attend the royal funeral are welcome.