A Royal Presence

Anyone who has recently researched Thailand online, making use of Thai websites, will have encountered, first-and-foremost and regardless of their research topic, an image of Her Royal Highness Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Narathiwat (สมเด็จพระเจ้าพี่นางเธอ เจ้าฟ้ากัลยาณิวัฒนา กรมหลวงนราธิวาสราชนครินทร์) and a brief message of condolence on her passing.

Earlier this month, the Royal Household Bureau announced that the Princess had passed away at 2:54 in the morning on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. She was 84.

Those visiting Thailand this month, as well as in February through April, should note that there is to be a mourning period of 100 days, starting from the day of her death. The Prime Minister announced that all government officials and agencies would wear black for 15 days while the cabinet would wear black for the full 100 days.

Those wishing to know more about Princess Galyani Vadhana, can visit some of the Thai websites listed in the left-hand column of this weblog. You can also check out this entry on Wikipedia.