The cabinet has declared Dec 16 a special public holiday to allow people to attend or observe the royal cremation ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
The decision was made at a meeting on Tuesday. The five-day royal cremation ceremony will run from Dec 15 to 19 at the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang.
The main cremation ceremony will take place at 4.30pm on Dec 16, after the procession carries the royal urn to the royal crematorium at 7am.
The programme includes royal merit-making ceremonies on Dec 15 and 18, the collection of royal relics on Dec 17, and further rites on Dec 19.
The Public Relations Department and the Television Pool of Thailand have been granted permission to broadcast the ceremonies live throughout the five days.