Karen pay their respects to late Princess in Chiang Mai

ETHNIC PEOPLE / TRIBUTE

Karen pay their respects to late Princess in Chiang Mai

Leaders of Karen ethnic groups in Chiang Mai sign condolence books for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana at the Chiang Mai Provincial Hall yesterday.

Chiang Mai _ Three hundred Karen yesterday held a ceremony to pay homage to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana and paid tribute to her efforts in improving public health for fellow highlanders.

The Karen, in their traditional uniforms normally worn for important events, jointly prayed for the Princess in the Karen dialect in front of her portrait at the provincial hall.

They said they felt grateful to the Princess for despatching mobile medical units to offer check-ups and treatment to the ethnic minorities who had trouble accessing medical help.

The Princess took over from the late Princess Mother in running the Por Or Sor Wor medical units. Hundreds of doctors joined the units as volunteers and travelled countrywide to help the poor and the underprivileged requiring medical attention.

''We Karen people don't have money to travel to Bangkok to pay our last respects to the Princess,'' said Kusuma Amrungpanom.

The ceremony was attended by members of two major Karen ethnic groups from four districts_ Omkoi, Mae Chaem, Mae Wang and Chom Thong.

In Bangkok, city officials have asked the public to clean up the mess they create from the free meals they receive before leaving Sanam Luang each day. The garbage is piling up in the area and creating an eyesore and pollution.

The amount of garbage at Sanam Luang exceeds two tonnes a day, according to Phra Khanong district officials.

The meals are provided by charitable organisations to a large number of people who turn up at the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the late Princess.

''We would like to ask for your cooperation to keep the area clean,'' said deputy Bangkok governor Bannasopit Mekvichai.