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Mourners pay last respects to princess

Black-clad mourners lined along Rajdamnoen Klang Avenue yesterday morning to watch the grand procession of the royal urns, containing the royal relics and ashes of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, from Sanam Luang to the Grand Palace.



Mourners pay last respects to princess

Many of the mourners along the route came from far-away provinces and have camped out at Sanam Luang since Saturday.

"We slept in a tent provided by officials," La-miad Pumkham, 72, said.

The elderly man, his wife and their nine-year-old granddaughter left their home in Sing Buri at 4am on Saturday to pay their last respect to the late Princess.

"Earlier this year, we paid our respect to her body twice," La-miad said. "We don't see a long distance of travelling as a trouble".  

Another mourner even travelled from as far as Malaysia to watch the royal cremation ceremonies. Identifying herself only as Sim, the 62-year-old woman said she was a Malaysian with Thai ethnicity.

"Like Thais, I love and respect the Princess," Sim said.

She heard about the royal cremation ceremonies while watching television in Kelantan where she lives.

"About 30 friends also joined me in the trip to bid our farewell to the beloved Princess," Sim said. They left Kelantan early Thursday and reached Bangkok by bus. 

With a limited budget, Thai-national Boonkom Areerak, 48, could not afford a bus ride to Bangkok from his hometown of Kalasin but was determined to be present at the late Princess' royal cremation.

"So, I decided to ride on my bicycle to Bangkok," Boonkom said.

He left Kalasin on his bicycle at 9am on Wednesday and arrived at Sanam Luang on Saturday.

"I took my days off from work," Boonkom said, "I really wished to be here out of my respect for the late Princess".

In various corners of Sanam Luang, many white-clad people were seen meditating. They later said their minds were focused on seeing the late Princess off to heaven.

Some mourners brought cameras with them so they could take photos of the impressive and spectacular royal crematorium while others paid Bt50 to get their pictures taken by professional photographers plying their trade around the ceremonial grounds.

City-police officer Marut Panmuangsri , 35, said all street vendors in Sanam Luang cooperated well with authorities yesterday.

"They listen to my warnings and cooperate well. When I approach them, they also tell me about how much they love the Princess and how grateful they are for her contribution to Thai society," Marut added.

The late Princess passed away at the age of 84 on January 2 this year.

She was the beloved sister of His Majesty the King and a great contributor to Thai society.


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