[Stoottnoiciek]

The following information comes from an article written by Arthit Khwankhom for The Nation published on 12th July 2006.

* Coffins range in price from Bt800 to above Bt200,000, with refrigerated caskets coming in at between Bt30,000 and 60,000, according to the research.

* In 1996 about 314,000 Thais died and if multiplied by that year's average coffin price of Bt4,500, the total sales would reach Bt1.4 billion.

* This year the projected number of deaths is set at 450,000 and even when multiplied by the relatively low cost of a 1996 coffin, around Bt2 billion would still be spent on coffins.

* The funeral costs include using a temple's morgue and paying for prayer services, cremation, undertakers, wreaths, refreshments, shrouds, ceremonial rope and souvenirs.

* A funeral can cost from Bt9,000 to more than Bt70,000, varying according to the number of days it lasts and the size of the temple.

* Usually, a Buddhist funeral lasts for between three and seven days. A three-day funeral at a small temple could cost less than Bt15,000.

* Coffins and the wooden flower placed on the coffin called a dok mai chan are often handmade by family businesses.