The Fine Arts Department will allow members of the public skilled in traditional Thai arts and crafts join the team building the royal urn to be used in the cremation of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Anant Chuchote, the department director-general, yesterday visited the site in Salaya district of Nakhon Pathom where the royal urn will be fashioned to assess the officials' readiness for the delicate task.
Mr Anant said the royal urn will be made from dead-standing sandalwood trees felled and taken from Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan and this task will be under the supervision of the Office of Traditional Arts.
Sandalwood holds religious value and has been used in making funeral pyres, idols and as a material in auspicious ceremonies.
"A total of 150 experienced artisans from the Office of Traditional Arts are now 100% ready for the tough task.
"However, we will also allow the general public skilled in traditional Thai arts nationwide to join the royal urn construction team because we believe many artisans will want to be part of this prestigious task," Mr Anant said.
Interested artisans can apply for a place on the team directly at the Office of Traditional Arts (OTA) in Salaya district of Nakhon Pathom.
They will be tested by experienced specialists at the office.
OTA director Somkuan Oumtrakul said the royal urn has already been designed by an experienced artisan. However, the OTA has to wait for materials to be delivered before it can start the building task.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is tasked with cutting the sandalwood and processing it into planks of different shapes and sizes.
"Wood specialists from Kasetsart University will inspect the urn once it is finished to ensure that it is in good condition," Mr Somkuan said.
Samrueng Dangnawnoi, the OTA's most experienced craftsman, said the royal urns for kings, queens and chao fahs were never the same, with each having its own distinct design.
At the age of 78, he has built royal urns for senior members of the royal family: the Princess Mother; Queen Rambhai Barni; Princess Galyani Vadhana (the late King's elder sister); and Princess Bejaratana Ratchasuda, the only daughter of King Rama VI.
"The royal urn for His Majesty the late King will be the fifth [made for senior members of the royal family] and I hope it will be my best and most beautiful work," he said.
Udomporn Saiprasit, 49, another artisan of the Office of Traditional Arts, said he is proud to have been selected as a member of the team to build the royal urn for the late King.