Sandalwood ashes released to sea at mouth of Chao Phraya

Royal Thai Navy officers conduct a ceremony before a portrait of the late King Bhumibol on board HTMS Sichang to mark the release of sandalwood ashes into the sea, at the mouth of the Chao Phraya river, on Sunday. (Royal Thai Navy photo)

The sandalwood flower ashes collected from all replicas and pavilions in Greater Bangkok have been floated out to sea at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River.

The Royal Thai Navy and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration jointly conducted the ceremony, transporting the ashes on board HTMS Sichang from the Phra Chulachomklao Fort in Phra Pradaeng district in Samut Prakan to the mouth of the river.

The sandalwood ashes from the replicas of the royal crematorium and pavilions in Greater Bangkok are floated out to sea at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan on Sunday. (Photo and video from Royal Thai Navy)

The ashes were released into the sea with a religious ceremony held on board ship.

The ashes were collected from nine replicas of the royal crematorium and 113 pavilions erected in Bangkok and the neighbouring provinces for mourners to pay their last respects to the late King on Thursday.

Other provinces floated the ashes in rivers or out to sea on Friday.