Bathing rites

Bathing rites

Their Majesties the King and Queen Wednesday afternoon presided over the bathing rites for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who succumbed to abdominal cancer early Wednesday at Siriraj hospital.

According to the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement on the illness of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of His Majesty the King passed away at 2:54 am on the morning of January 2.

The 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.

Her body was transferred from the state hospital to the Grand Palace where their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the bathing rite for the late princess.

By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household was responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at a throne hall of the Grand Palace.

On Wednesday afternoon, thousands of people from all walks of life thronged to the Grand Palace where His Majesty the King had given permission for the general public to participate in bathing rites before a portrait of the late princess.

By Royal Command, the Court will be in mourning for 100 days. Likewise, the national flag will be flown at half mast for 15 days and government and state enterprise employees are instructed to be in mourning for 15 days.

The government also requested the cooperation of both private and public agencies to refrain from organising entertainment activities during the 15-day national mourning period. (TNA)