A heart-wrenching day for Thailand -- that of the royal cremation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej -- is only about one month away. The beloved monarch is in the hearts of Thais always, and many are in pursuit of memorabilia associated with His Majesty. Almost everything, ranging from coins and medals to stamps, was sold out or fully reserved within a day.
Although not everyone is quick enough to purchase the most sought-after medals, millions will surely receive official booklets in memory of King Bhumibol and the royal funeral. More than 9 million copies of the Thai-language booklet and 100,000 copies of the English-language booklet will be given to participants of the royal cremation ceremony on the important day, Oct 26. Three million free copies of another booklet on King Bhumibol's life as well as the royal funeral will be handed to visitors at the post-funeral exhibition at Sanam Luang, set for Nov 1-30. All three versions are well-designed to fit in photo frames if anyone wishes to place them on the walls.
The first booklet presents eight topics -- "Biography Of A Great King", "The King's Genius Is Known Internationally", "Royal Tasks For The People", "Royal Initiatives For Sustainable Development", "Honoured Internationally", "The Royal Funeral", "The Royal Crematorium and "Schedule Of Royal Ceremonies". A total of 9.6 million copies will be handed to those presenting funeral flowers for the royal cremation through designated venues nationwide and abroad. The second booklet is an abridged English-language version of the first. A total of 100,000 copies will be given to foreign dignitaries and other guests.
The third booklet tells of "King Bhumibol's Life", the "Ten Royal Principles Of Righteousness", "The Royal Crematorium And Surrounding Structures", "Royal Vehicles", "Royal Palanquins" and "Funeral Flower Presentation Pavilions". The three booklets are also available in digital versions with Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Anyone can read and magnify details of the booklets conveniently and quickly via smartphone and tablet-friendly applications.
Books for the royal cremation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. photos courtesy of Fine Arts Department
Two presentation approaches are Zappar Technology and AR Technology. Users must download the Zappar application and point their phones or tablets at the Zapper Sign at the right bottom of the booklets. Then users are allowed to watch a documentary film about King Bhumibol, read an electronic photo book of the royal funeral, visit the official website on the royal funeral and read the three booklets in the digital version. Alternatively, users can download the Arzio application using AR technology, point their phones or tablets at the AR Sign on the booklets and click provided areas to look at photo albums and the 3D photos of the royal crematorium, and listen to provided voice clips.
Apart from the three booklets, now ready for distribution on Oct 26, the Committee for the Publication of Royal Funeral Books and Chronicles for the Royal Cremation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is currently making 10 royal funeral books, including six chronicles, three books and a pamphlet. The 10 books are an official chronicle, Thai and foreign news reports, a book of people's poetry for King Bhumibol, a book of nine famed poets' poetry for King Bhumibol, a book on the royal crematorium, a book on royal regalia, a book with a CD of songs in memory of King Bhumibol, a pamphlet, and a video version of the chronicle.
So far, 10 episodes of the video version of the chronicle have been completed and are now ready for viewing on the official website of the Culture Ministry at m-culture.go.th. At the same website, you can download the e-book, entitled Glossary Of Terms Related To The Royal Funeral Of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Borommanathbobitra.
-- Pichaya Svasti