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Published on January 13, 2008

Yesterday also marked National Children's Day.

People started flocking to the Grand Palace at 4am to reserve a place along the route where HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn would pass to preside over a morning offering for monks reciting Abhidhamma rites for the deceased Princess at the throne hall.

The Royal Household Bureau allowed the public to pay respects to His Majesty the King's beloved sister an hour earlier than the usual 9am-4pm and also to participate in prayers from 6pm-10pm.

Sixth-grader Pitchayanant Duangpaen from Mae Pia Temple School in Songkhla's Na Mom district said it was a great opportunity for her to have an audience with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and to pay tribute to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana at the throne hall. "I'm very sad for the Princess's passing because she worked hard and made great merit for Thais. I myself intend to do good deeds and follow her example, especially being on time, in my life," she said.

A group of 14 child actors from the production house Kantana Group was led by Disayakorn "Mister D" Disayanantr, who said he was deeply grieved by the Princess's departure and urged youngsters to adopt her commendable traits such as working for the good of the country.

Nattapong Petchpimai, a 12-year-old boy from Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district who was unable to walk due to brain swelling since birth, was carried by his grandfather Pichai Phraengsorn to the throne

hall.

Pichai said his grandson cried after seeing news of the Princess's death on television and wanted to come to the hall.

Expressing happiness after paying homage to the Princess, the boy said he also appealed to the divinities for his own recovery and ability to walk for national Children's Day.

Other mourners included 100 members of the French Teachers Association of Thailand led by vice president Thida Boontham. Thida said they represented 800 French teachers nationwide who appreciated the Princess's good example as a French teacher and her great merit in laying a sound foundation for the teaching and learning of French and producing quality teachers.

The Princess, who founded the association, served as its president from 1977-1981 and honorary president until the present, she added.

Elsewhere, while the country was staging educational activities to mark Children's Day, many places also held exhibitions to honour the Princess so that adolescents could learn about her life and meaningful contributions to the Kingdom and write messages of condolence.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, some 100 blind children used Braille to sign albums in memory of the Princess.

The Nation