KINDNESS, DILIGENCE RECALLED

KINDNESS, DILIGENCE RECALLED

Tributes flow in from all walks of life

Story by ANCHALEE KONGRUT and ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA

Mourners turning up to bid farewell to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away early yesterday, said they will remember the Princess for her good deeds and devotion to the kingdom.

People who flocked to Siriraj hospital after hearing about her death said the Princess will be remembered not only because she was the sister of the much beloved King, but also because of her kindness.

''Basically, people love the Princess because she was the elder sister of their beloved King. But the Princess herself worked very hard for this country.

''For me, I love her and always remember her dedication to the Medical Volunteer Foundation,'' said Piyawuth Nimsuwan, a taxi driver who regularly visited Siriraj hospital to pay respects to the Princess while she was being treated there.

The Medical Volunteer Foundation was started by the late Princess Mother and HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. The Princess took over the position of honorary president in 1995 after the Princess Mother died.

Among thousands of people who flocked to the hospital yesterday was well-known businesswoman Yuwadee Boonkrong. She said she will remember the princess for being kind and down-to-earth.

Ms Yuwadee helped raise funds for the Princess's charity. She said she was granted an audience with the Princess for the first time in Switzerland more than a decade ago and had been devoted to the Princess's projects ever since.

''Let me assure you that every breath of the Princess and His Majesty the King is all about the people and this country,'' she said.

A group of people also handed out copies of a poem written to honour the Princess to mourners at the hospital.

''Take this poem and preserve it as a keepsake. Always remember we have been here together for months to pray for the recovery of the Princess. Now we have to go home and follow the footsteps of the Princess by doing good,'' said Piroonjit Thienmethangkoon, a 52-year-old housewife. Mrs Piroonjit said she wrote the poem last month.

The poem, ''Decha Phra Songchai'', is a prayer for the Princess' recovery. She made almost 1,500 copies of the poem, which were distributed at noon yesterday.

Pratueng Tachuentong, 79, from Phitsanulok's Wang Thong district, arrived at the Grand Palace for the bathing ceremony before the Princess' portrait at 9am.

She said she closely followed the news on the Princess's health, and had not yet recovered from the shock of her death.

As a former member of the Medical Volunteer Foundation, Mrs Pratueng said she was granted an audience with the Princess when she took up the work of the Princess Mother.

''I also kept the photo which the Princess had taken with us. What I remember about the Princess is her kindness and mercy to everyone,'' said Mrs Pratueng.

Manee Thongsisuk, 74, who travelled alone from Huai Khwang district in Bangkok, said she could not help crying upon hearing the news at dawn yesterday.

''I love and respect the Princess for all the work she did. I watched her on TV when she was out on rural missions. She was great and smart. She did a good job in taking up the work of the Princess Mother,'' said Mrs Manee.

Duangkamol Naen-udon, 52, another Bangkok resident, said she would not forget the Princess' dedication to the people.

''Like His Majesty the King and the late Princess Mother, Princess Galyani Vadhana loved her people more than herself. She went everywhere, despite thunder and storms,'' said Mrs Duangkamol.

Pakphum Chantaraprakai, 23, came along with his mother.

The pair said they often went to Siriraj hospital after the Princess had been admitted for treatment.

''We love the Princess because she was great, knowledgeable and hard working,'' said Mr Pakphum.

''We're sad that she's gone, but with her goodness we believe she will rest in peace,'' he said.

The bathing ceremony, originally scheduled to end at 4pm yesterday, was extended until late in the evening.