Cremation of Thailand's late king to be held on Oct. 26

BANGKOK – Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be cremated this October as part of a five-day funeral ceremony.

Government spokesperson Sansern Kaewkumnerd told reporters Tuesday that Buddhist funeral rites will be held from Oct. 25-29. The cremation will take place Oct. 26, which will be a public holiday.

A huge crematorium is being erected at Sanam Luang, a large field close to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Thailand's military government has allocated 1 billion baht ($28.6 million) for the funeral of Bhumibol, who died on Oct. 13 last year at age 88 after seven decades on the throne.