The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been designated by the National Organising Committee of the Royal Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in organising the official sandalwood flower offering ceremony abroad.

          1. Preparations on the Sandalwood Flower Offering Ceremony 

              1.1 The Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General have undertaken all the necessary preparations to host the official sandalwood flower offering ceremony which will be held on 26 October 2017. The relevant Embassies and Consulates-General located in the same time zone as Thailand will hold the ceremony at the same time as when the Royal Cremation Ceremony takes place at 17.30 hours (Bangkok local time) at the Sanam Luang Ceremonial Grounds, Bangkok. The Embassies and Consulates-General located in different time zones will hold the ceremony after the Royal Cremation Ceremony in Thailand has begun, but they will not hold the ceremony any earlier than 17.30 hours (Bangkok local time). 

              1.2 On 18 October 2017, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayawarangkun granted an audience to H.E. General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, as well as to H.E. Mrs. Busaya Mathelin, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Governors and Representatives of the Governor from 76 Provinces to receive the royal cremation flame for the Royal Crematorium replicas nationwide.

                    In the case of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Secretary was presented, through the Prime Minister, the royally-bestowed lanterns and boxes for the royal cremation flame for all the 94 Embassies and Consulates-General abroad. The Thai Ambasssadors/Consuls-General will begin the official sandalwood flower offering ceremony by lighting the royally-bestowed lanterns and boxes at the respective ceremony locations.  All the sandalwood flowers that will be offered at the ceremony on 26 October will be sent back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presented to the Bureau of the Royal Household for further action and in accordance to appropriate practice.  

                    Moreover, on 12 October 2017, Permanent Secretary Busaya has presented 96 special sandalwood flower bouquets from the Thai Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives and Consuls-General and from 94 Volunteers of the Special Task relating the Royal Cremation Ceremony to the Bureau of the Royal Household. The special sandalwood flower bouquets represent tokens of loyalty and respectful wishes from the Heads of Thai agencies and officials as well as from the Thai Communities worldwide, and these bouquets will be placed at the Dismantling Hall of the Royal Crematorium at the Royal Cremation Ceremony on 26 October 2017. 

                    Further details of the time, location,and other important information relating to the sandalwood flower offering ceremony abroad can be found at www.kingrama9.net.

          2. The Special Exhibition of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol’s Royal Actvities and State Visits     

              The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged a Special Exhibition of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Activities which will be displayed at the official sandalwood flower offering ceremony locations abroad. The Special Exhibition depicts the important royal activities, the royally-initiated development projects, the international prizes and awards presented to His Majesty on His Majesty’s successful achievements, the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the projects implemented in other countries as well as the historic State Visits in foreign countries. The Special Exhibition can be viewed by the general public at the Department of Consular Affairs, Chaengwattana Road,  during 27 October – 24 November 2017, at 08.30-16.30 hours.