A sacred ritual was performed at the national park on November 17 before nine specially selected sandalwood trees were cut down and logged.

They were then cut into 1,461 sandalwood strips and many bigger pIeces. They were sent to the Office of Traditional Arts in Nakhon Pathom province.

Sandalwood is considered an important part of the royal cremation ceremony.

“Kui Buri forest will gain historical value. The future generations will come here and learn about it. It has supplied sandalwood for the royal cremations of many important Royals including HRH Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother and HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, and now the late king,” Srisawas Boonma, the kamnan of Tambon Hat Kham, said.

Officials loaded the sandalwood into three trucks, which were decorated with black and white ribbons. More than 20 vehicles were in the convoy as officials and local leaders in Prachuap Khiri Khan followed the trucks. Police also escorted the trucks.

A number of people lined the road leading out of the national park to show their respect for the late king.

HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej died at the age of 89 on October 13.

National Reform Steering Assembly’s deputy chair Alongkorn Ponlaboot announced that nine songs had been composed in |remembrance of the late king.

A music video has already been produced for the songs and can be watched at http://www.reformvoice.com.

On January 1, members of the public will not be allowed to enter the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to lay prostrate before the body of the late king. Praying rituals, however, will take place as usual.

The Royal Household Bureau will open the Sala Sahatai Samakhom inside the Grand Palace between 7.30am and 5pm on January 1 for people to sign wellwish messages for HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

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