Thailand mourns Princess Galyani
Updated: 2008-01-02 23:20
BANGKOK -- Thailand's Cabinet on Wednesday requested cooperation of government agencies and entertainment venues to suspend merry making activities for 15 days to mourn for Princess Galyani Vadhana, in her 84, who passed away early morning.
Following the Royal Household Bureau's announcement that the princess passed away at the Siriraj Hospital at 2:54 a.m. Wednesday (1954 GMT, Tuesday), the PM's Office announced the 15-day mourning period.
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| Thai students pray before a shrine of late Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Bangkok's Siriraj hospital January 2, 2008. The king declared a 100-day mourning period for palace officials and the funeral of the 84-year-old princess, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, would be held at Bangkok's glittering Grand Palace for 100 days, the statement said. [Agencies] |
PM's Office Minister Dhipavadee Meksawan instructed state-run television stations to air programs in honor of the princess and the government has formed a national committee in charge of the funeral arrangements, led by the prime minister Surayud Chulanont.
Royal Family members, court officials and cabinet members will observe the black dress code for 100 days, Dhipavadee said, addingthe Cabinet also sought cooperation from the public to wear black dress for 15 days. All government offices and schools will also lower flags at half mast in the same period.
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| Women pray as they hold a portrait of late Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at Bangkok's Siriraj hospital on January 2, 2008. The king declared a 100-day mourning period for palace officials and the funeral of the 84-year-old princess, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, would be held at Bangkok's glittering Grand Palace for 100 days, the statement said. [Agencies] |
The King Bhumibol Adulyadej had granted permission of the traditional bathing rite for the public for Princess Galyani at Saha Thai Samakhom Pavilion, Grand Palace.
At 3 p.m. (0800 GMT) on Wednesday, the funeral procession of the body of the princess arrived the Royal Palace from the Siriraj Hospital. Thousands of people lined up the streets for the procession.
Meanwhile, all political parties announced suspending political activities. The Chart Thai Party's important news conference of attending the People Power Party coalition to form new government, which scheduled on late Wednesday, was cancelled.
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