The Thai word Kosa refers to a large, urn-like receptacle in which the remains are placed in a seated position. Seventy years ago Prince Damrong, founder of modern Thai history, expressed the view that this custom came from the Brahmin belief that, as the King was a celestial being who had taken human form to be born as one who would rule over mortals, upon his death he would return to his real form. But since the remains of its human incarnation remained on Earth, they had to be treated as a god residing in a Viman, or celestial abode, on top of Mount Meru.

The Kosa, representing the Viman, is set on top of a high base that symbolises Mount Meru. The royal remains are dressed in the garments of an angel rather than a human being, and are set in a seated position.

The Kosa used now is narrow at the base, but with a wide mouth. There is a metallic lid, made from silver, that covers it, and that is sealed with resin that is then covered with gold leaf. The Kosa itself is made of copper or steel covered with gold leaf. When the remains are ceremonially placed inside, the Kosa is placed inside another enclosure called a Phra Long, which is ornamented with designs that differ according to the royal rank of the deceased.

Phra Long of the highest order are called Phra Kosa Thong Yai. They are octagonal in shape with tall lids in the form called Song Mongkhut, and are covered with elaborate ornamented sheets of gold. These ornaments all have specific names like Dokmai Phetch Pen Song Phum Khaobin, Dokmai Wai, Fueang, and Dokmai Aew. The Phra Kosa Thong Yai separates into two parts to make it easier to remove and reassemble.

The fashioning of the Phra Kosa Thong Yai for King Rama I was ordered by the King himself to hold his own remains and those of his Queen and the royal children. In 1900, during the reign of King Rama V, the King ordered the construction of a Phra Kosa Rong Song with a base the same size as that of a Phra Kosa Thong Yai. It has been used for many royal funerals.

A Phra Kosa Chan is another type of Phra Long that gets its name from the mai chan, or sandalwood, from which it is made. It is used only for the cremations of the immediate royal family, or by special decree.

The Phra Kosa Thong Yai is removed from around the Kosa and the Phra Kosa Chan put in its place. It is given to the flames together with the royal remains.

The Phra Kosa Chan, like the Phra Kosa Thong Yai, is octagonal, and is narrow at the base and broad at the mouth. It can be separated into two parts, and has a high lid. The framework of the Phra Kosa Chan is made of iron rods with wire mesh stretched between them. The sandalwood is fitted on very thin sheets, and designs, based on a lotus petal motifs, are carved into the wood. The wooden designs are applied in three levels, creating three-dimensional images. In addition to the lotus petals, other designs are also used, depending on the overall structure of the Phra Kosa Chan.

The lid of the Phra Kosa Chan, in addition to the designs carved into it, is also ornamented with many carved wooden lotus petals set on springs that permit them to move and float.

At royal funerals, logs of sandalwood are usually burned underneath the Kosa so that the flames can pass through the sieve-like bottom and cremate the remains. The purpose of the sandalwood Phra Kosa Chan covering is to ensure that there is fire on the sides, too.

The reason that sandalwood is used is, firstly, that the Thai name for it, mai chan, is pronounced the same but spelled slightly differently from a word that traditionally evokes beauty and happiness to Thais. It is also a word that goes together with the idea of gold, which is emblematic of great beauty, and therefore is part of the names of palaces like Wang Sanam Chan and Wang Chan Kasem. Secondly, sandalwood is very fragrant, especially when heated. When burned it emits a perfume that covers up other odours.

The use of a Phra Kosa Chan is one of many important traditions that will be part of the cremation ceremony for HRH the late Princess Galyani Vadhana.

-- Suthon Sukphisit