People queue up to witness history, past and future

People finally got the chance yesterday to view the royal crematorium for HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, as well as its surrounding structures and the carriages that will carry her body to cremation.

Every weekend from now until the end of October people can visit Sanam Luang to view the crematorium and the Bang-kok National Museum, where the royal funeral carriages will be kept.

Visiting days have been doubled after the demand exceeded expectations. Culture Minis-ter Somsak Kiartsuranont says more than 1,000 people have registered for the guided tours.

"It's my first time seeing the royal carriages up close. I felt very proud. They impressed me. But, it's a pity that I couldn't go to the crematorium. One of my group had a little accident..," says Ratana Sida, 58, of Dusit, Bangkok.

She will return on October 19 to witness a rehearsal.

Yesterday was the first day for the guided tours, after last weekend was washed out.

There are three tours each day with a maximum of 50 places on each. They start at the museum at 9.30am, 10.30am and 1.30pm.

There is a seven-minute video at the museum that shows royal funerals of the past. It documents the construction of the crematorium and the restoration of the carriages. Then it's on to the carriages and then to Sanam Luang by tram.

The construction of the crematorium and its surrounding structures is almost complete, as is restoration of the carriages.

Work on a Ratcharot Noi carriage continues at pace, says Somchai na Nakhon Phanom, a senior expert at the Fine Arts Department.

Before rehearsals, there will be an appeasement rite at the building housing the carriages on October 6.