The King initially decreed the cremation date of April 4, 2012, perhaps based on any number of criteria including a suitable waiting period (not the 100 days of mourning), the auspiciousness of the exact date, the preparation of the final resting place, on-going refurbishments at Sanam Luang.

In the case of the most recent funeral, that of the King's sister, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana in 2008, the waiting period was ~ 11 months.