Cremation Regalia
   
ORIGIN OF THE WORD `KHRUANG SUENG'  
The word ``regalia'' normally refers to the paraphernalia that indicate royalty or other high office. In the Thai context, regalia, or Khruang Sueng, refers to the emblems and symbols of Royalty used in ceremonies or processions, such as travel by land or by water in accordance with important ancient customs, a Coronation or a Royal Funeral, for example.

The custom of including regalia in a procession dates back to ancient times in India.

Khruang Sueng used in royal ceremonies consists of eight items, namely:

  1. Seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  2. Five-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  3. Chum Sai (Three-tiered Royal Umbrellas)
    4. These three items are collectively known as Apiroom Chum Sai (The Tiered Tassled Umbrellas of Rank)
  4. Bang Saek (The Sunshade), having the form of a fan
  5. Jamorn (The Lesser Sunshade)
  6. Phra Klod (The Royal Parasol)
  7. Bang Phra Soon (The Royal Sunshade)
  8. Pad Boke (The Long-handled Fan)

When preceding the Royal Carriage in a procession, these regalia are called Khruang Sueng Na, or Leading Regalia; when following the Royal Carriage, they are called Khruang Sueng Lang, or Rear Regalia.
TYPES OF REGALIA
The regalia are divided into two types, namely:

1. ​The Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Regalia or Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang are regalia embroidered with gold threads in traditional Thai designs. They are used with His Majesty the King, Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

2.​ The Tiered Gold-embroidered Regalia or Khruang Sueng Thong Phae Luat are regalia decorated with traditional Thai designs produced through the use of gold leaves stuck on cardboard and cut into intricate designs. They are used with Phra Chao Worawong Ther (HRH Prince or Princess, Chao Fah (HRH Prince or Princess, Mom Chao (His or Her Serene Highness) and Mom Rachawong, for example.

 

The Khruang Sueng to be used in the processions of honour to move the Royal Urn of HRH the late Princess Galyani Vadhana are:

Procession 1:
The Jagged Flag (Thong Sam Chai), the Tiered Gold-embroidered Umbrella for the monk leading the Royal Cinerary Urn (Chat Khrueng Sueng Thong Phae Luat Phra Nam), Royal Sunshade for the leading monk (Bang Phra Soon Phra Nam), Gold Brocade Tiered Umbrella (Sapatana Tard), Long-handled Fan (Pad Boke), Lesser Sunshade (Jamorn) and Tiered Gold -- embroidered Umbrella behind the leading monk (Chat Khrueng Sueng Thong Phae Luat Lang Phra Nam). Plus the leading Tiered Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella (Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwarng Na), the Chat Kan Darn seven-tiered Royal Umbrella affixed on Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan -- a golden palanquin with three carrying poles -- Gold Floral Offerings, Silver Floral Offerings, Royal Parasol (Phra Klod), Gold Embroidered Sunshade (Bang Phra Soon Hak Thong Khwang), Long-handled Fan (Pad Boke) and another Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella to bring up the rear of the golden palanquin with three carrying poles (Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang Lang Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan).

Procession 2:
The Jagged Flag, Tiered Gold-embroidered Umbrella (Khruang Sueng Thong Phae Luat Phra Nam) for the monk leading the Royal Urn, Grand Sunshade (Bang Phra Soon), Gold Brocade Tiered Umbrella (Sapatana Tard), Long-handled Fan (Pad Boke), Lesser Sunshade (Jamorn) and Tiered Gold-embroidered Umbrella behind the leading monk (Chat Khruang Sueng Thong Phae Luat Lang Phra Nam).

Leading Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella (Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang Na), Silver Floral Offerings, Gold Floral Offerings, Royal Parasol or Phra Klod, Gold Embroidered Sunshade (Bang Phra Soon), Long-handled Fan, or Pad Boke, and another Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella (Chat Khrueng Sueng Hak Thong Khwang Lang) to bring up the rear of the Great Funeral Chariot (Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot).

Procession 3:
The Jagged Flag, Royal Sunshade for the monk leading the Royal Urn, Gold Brocade Tiered Umbrella, Long-handled Fan, Lesser Sunshade, Leading Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella, Gold Floral Offerings, Silver Floral Offerings, Royal Parasol, Gold Embroidered Sunshade, Long-handled Fan, Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella to bring up the rear of the golden palanquin with three carrying poles.

Procession 4:
The Jagged flag, Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella (Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang) leading the Phra Thinang Rachanedhrayan (Rachanedhrayan Throne), Royal Parasol, or Phra Klod, Grand Sunshade (Bang Phra Soon), Long-handled Fan (Pad Boke), Gold Floral Offerings, Silver Floral Offerings, Gold Embroidered Sunshade for another golden palanquin with two carrying poles (Phra Wor Sri Wikakanchana), Royal Parasol, Long-handled Fan, Lesser Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank, and the rear Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang, or Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella.

Procession 5:
The Jagged Flag, leading Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang, or Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella, Phra Klod, or Royal Parasol, Bang Phra Soon, or the Grand Sunshade, Pad Boke, or Long-handled Fan, Silver Floral Offerings, Gold Floral Offerings and rear Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang, known as Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella.

Tiered Royal Umbrellas and other regalia used in Processions 1, 2 and 3 consist of:
The Jagged Flag: Two men, with two in reserve.
Chat Khruang Sueng Thong Phae Luat Phra Nam, or Tiered Gold-embroidered Umbrella for monk leading the Royal Urn:

  • Two seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Six five-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Four Sunshades (Bang Saek)
    • (Each using 12 bearers)

Chat Khruang Sueng Thong Phae Luat Lang Phra Nam, or Tiered Gold-embroidered Umbrella behind the leading monk:

  • Two seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Four five-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Two Sunshades (Bang Saek)
    • (Using eight bearers)

Leading Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang Na Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan or Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella for the golden palanquin with three carrying poles:

  • Two seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas,
  • 12 five-tiered Royal Umbrellas,
  • 10 Sunshades (Bang Saek).
    • (Using 24 bearers)

Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang Lang Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan or Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella bringing up the rear of the golden palanquin with three carrying poles:

  • Two seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Eight five-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Six Sunshades (Bang Saek)
  • Four three-tiered Umbrellas (Chum Sai)
  • Using 20 men to carry the regalia.

Tiered Royal Umbrellas and other regalia used in Processions 4 and 5 consist of:
Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwarng, or Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrella leading the Phra Thinang Rachanedhrayan (Rachanedhrayan Throne):

  • Two seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Six five-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Four Sunshades (Bang Saek)
    • (Using 12 bearers)

Chat Khruang Sueng Hak Thong Khwang Lang or rear Embroidered Royal Insignia of Rank Umbrellas:

  • Two seven-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Four five-tiered Royal Umbrellas
  • Two Sunshades (Bang Saek)
  • Four Chum Sai
    • (Using 12 bearers)

In addition, the Grand Sunshade, the Gold Brocade Tiered Umbrella, Long-handled Fan and the Royal Parasol each need one man.
The Army Quartermaster Department will also provide 32 men to act as eight Indras and eight Bhramas carrying the Lesser Sunshades, eight Indras carrying silver floral offerings and eight Bhramas carrying gold floral offerings.

-- Rungroat Mitreevong and Anussorn Thavisin