Portal:Thailand/Selected article/31

Sanam Luang (Thai: สนามหลวง) is an open field in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok.

Sanam Luang was officially known as Thung Phra Mane (the royal cremation ground) (Thai : ทุ่งพระเมรุ). It has been used as a site for the cremation of kings, queens and high-ranking princes since the reign of King Rama I. The present king uses Sanam Luang annually on 11 March, for the Ploughing Ceremony and the Ceremony of Calling the Rain. There were various ceremonies performed at Sanam Luang, including the Bi-Centennial Celebration of Bangkok (Thai : พระราชพิธีฉลองกรุงรัตนโกสินทร์ครบ 200 ปี), in 1982, the grand celebration to the king's birthday (Thai : พระราชพิธีกาญจนาภิเษก) and the cremation for Queen Rambhai Barni of King Rama VII, in 1986. The last cremation that took place there was for the Queen Grandmother, Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajachondeni in 1997.