BANGKOK, Nov. 11 -- Thailand has declared December 16 a special public holiday to allow people to pay their final respects to Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, during her royal cremation in Bangkok.

The decision, approved by the Cabinet yesterday, comes as the country prepares for five days of royal ceremonies from December 15 to 19 at the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang, the Bangkok Post reported.

The main cremation will take place at 4.30pm on December 16, following a procession carrying the royal urn from the Grand Palace to the royal crematorium at 7am.

The ceremonies will begin with Buddhist merit-making rites on December 15, followed by the collection of royal relics on December 17 and further religious observances over the next two ...