NONTHABURI, Thailand: At a studio near Bangkok, a pair of immaculate meter-high statues of the dogs of Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej are getting a last lick of paint before adorning his funeral pyre. Eight months in the making, three master sculptors have nearly finished the statues of Tongdaeng and Cao Cao, the late King’s favorite canines. The dogs will soon be installed at the top tier of Bhumibol’s 50-metre (165 foot) pyre. The tower, will be decorated by over 500 sculptures of animals, gods and mythical creatures—headed by the pair of royal dogs. A 2002 book about the dog penned by the King was that year’s best-selling title in Thailand.

Source: Manila Times September 01, 2017 14:37 UTC