People snap up Princess mementoes

People snap up Princess mementoes

Books by HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana and books about her are selling like hot cakes as Thais try to keep their beloved Princess with them forever.

Published on January 5, 2008

The 84-year-old Princess, the elder sister of His Majesty, passed away early on Wednesday.

"There is now a huge demand for books about the Princess," Busarin Saengchai, a sales assistant at Rim Khob Fa Bookstore in Bangkok's Victory Monument area, said yesterday.

She said the most popular book was "Saeng Nueng Khue Rung Ngam" ("Spectrum") by the Princess' daughter Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram.

"It's sold out. Customers are now placing reservations," Busarin said. She added that the books written by the Princess such as "Mae Lau Hai Fung" ("Stories Told by My Mum") and "Chao Nai Lek Lek - Yuwakasat" ("Little Royal - The Young King") were also selling well.

In Chiang Mai, Joy Jittidecharak, managing director of Suriwong Book Centre, said books by the Princess would soon be sold out.

"She was a talented writer. Her books are fun to read and well indexed," Joy said. Her company operates a big book centre.

Meanwhile, bookstalls reported a big boost in sales of daily newspapers that featured comprehensive stories about the Princess and photos of her.

"We sell about 1,800 copies a day, but since January 3 we have sold 2,700," Wiang Pin Bookstore's owner Petchara Korbkaikij said.

Bookstall-owner Suchada Wongsua said she had seen a 25-per-cent increase in newspaper sales.

In Songkhla, a big newsagent in the Hat Yai district said demand for newspapers had clearly jumped because of coverage and photos of the beloved Princess.

"It's clear people want to keep the newspapers in memory of her," Manu Phontaweechai said.

Similar trends are being reported in other provinces, including Phitsanulok.

Souvenirs and photos of the Princess are also in high demand.

The Nation