BANGKOK (THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Oblivious to the falling rain, a huge crowd of black-clad Thais once again turned out early Sunday (Oct 22) morning to witness the final rehearsal of processions for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Royal Cremation Ceremony.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who attended on Saturday the full dress rehearsal of processions for the late King's cremation on Oct 26, also attended the final dress rehearsal on Sunday for Collection of the Royal Relics and the Royal Ashes at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.

The rehearsal involves the procession of royal chariots and palanquins along the route designated for the Collection of the Royal Relics and the Royal Ashes scheduled for Oct 27 when the ashes of the late King will be transferred from the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang to the Grand Palace.

The fourth procession, which started at around 10am, sees the Royal Reliquary Urn containing the Royal Relics being transferred to the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles, or Rajendrayan Busabok Palanquin, from the Royal Crematorium to Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.

The Royal Ashes in the cone-shaped container carried on the Small Royal Palanquin with Four Poles or Rajendrayan Noi is transferred to the Phra Sri Rattana Chedi in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The procession by the 834-member troupe will cover 1,074 metres, lasting about 30 minutes.