Phuket selects three temples for royal cremation ceremonies
Wat Chalong will host Phuket’s main ceremony on Dec 16-17, with two other temples serving Kathu and Thalang districts.
Phuket has selected three temples for public sandalwood flower-laying ceremonies for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother on Dec 16-17, 2026.
Wat Chaiyathararam, commonly known as Wat Chalong, will host the main provincial ceremony and serve Mueang district. Wat Kathu will serve Kathu district, while Wat Thepwanaram, also known as Wat Ma Nik, will serve Thalang district.
The main public ceremony on Dec 16 will run in two sessions, from 9am to 4:30pm and from 6pm to 9pm. A religious ceremony for the ashes of the ceremonial sandalwood flowers will take place at 8am on Dec 17, followed by a ceremony to scatter the ashes.
The arrangements were discussed at a preparatory meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Oct 30 chaired by Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawae. Representatives from the Phuket Provincial Police, the Third Naval Area Command and other government agencies attended.
Officials are coordinating preparations through 11 working groups covering venue management, ceremonial arrangements, security, traffic control, public relations, decorations, exhibitions, food and beverages, transport and participant coordination. Parking and shuttle services are being arranged at all three venues, with details to be announced through official government channels.
Phuket has set a target of producing 120,000 dok mai chan, or sandalwood cremation flowers. Government agencies, local administrative organisations, businesses and community groups are contributing to the effort.
The flowers are being made from materials including corn husks, water hyacinth, dried banana leaves, rubber tree leaves and mulberry paper, in line with Ministry of Interior guidelines promoting locally sourced natural materials. Officials said the initiative is being carried out without requesting a budget allocation from the ministry.
Phuket Vocational College has held training sessions on flower-making for teachers, staff and students. At a workshop on Oct 29, students assisted participants at 15 workstations, each accommodating 20 people.
