(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-02 23:20

Princess Galyani Vadhana is seen during a ceremony in Bangkok in this undated photo. 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 later on Wednesday, the statement said. [Agencies]

The People Power Party, which won the most seats of the parliament during last month's general election, also cancelled its meeting of party executives on Wednesday to mourn for Princess Galyani.

"People Power has suspended its activities, including talks on the coalition formation, in light of the sorrowful atmosphere," party spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said.

Princess Galyani's overall condition had worsened Tuesday with increasingly labored breathing and failing kidney functions, according to the Royal Household Bureau's 38th statement issued late in the day.

In addition to treatment for renal failure, the 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.

Princess Galyani Vadhana, who was born on May 6, 1923, in Edinburgh, was the elder sister to Ananda Mahidol and Bhumiphol Adulyadej, both of whom became kings. Graduating in science and chemistry from the University of Lausanne, she was knowledgeable in the arts, languages, and history, and taught French language, literature and history in Bangkok's Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities.

The princess was heavily involved in projects under her royal patronage, especially traditional Thai arts, education, sports and social welfare. She traveled widely within Thailand and overseas to represent the royal family and her country on missions and was a focus of affection of the Thai people. She had visited China for six times.

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7   

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7