Sacred Consecration of Sandalwood for the Royal Cremation of Princess Bajrakitiyabha

His Majesty the King assigned Air Chief Marshal Somkid Sookbang, Grand Chamberlain to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita, to preside over the consecration and cutting ceremony of fragrant sandalwood to be used in the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness.

The ceremony took place on 20 August 2026 at the Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. It was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin.

The Bureau of the Royal Household, the Fine Arts Department, and the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department had jointly selected 20 fragrant dead-standing sandalwood trees in the Kui Buri National Park. All the them have an average circumference of 150 centimeters and a suitable length for processing.

The sandalwood will be used to create the royal urn, royal coffin, and sandalwood accessories for the royal cremation of H.R.H. Princess Bajrakitiyabha in accordance with the royal tradition. It is considered auspicious and possesses all characteristics set by the Office of Traditional Arts, under the Fine Arts Department. The Kui Buri National Park will cut and process the fragrant sandalwood into 370 logs and 1,350 planks before presenting them to the Office of Traditional Arts. 

Following the ceremony, 10 fragrant sandalwood trees were replanted in the forest to promote ecological balance and conserve this precious wood, and more will be replanted later. Fragrant sandalwood is rare in nature, and it has been used in royal cremation ceremonies since the Ayutthaya period. it is believed that fragrant sandalwood will lead royal remains to a peaceful and sacred place.

Source: PR Thai Government