by Anusak Konglang, January 2, 2008
Bangkok - Thailand on Wednesday mourned Princess Galyani, only sister of HM the King, whose death from cancer also put a temporary halt to post-election coalition haggling.
Thousands of Thais flocked to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital where the king's elder sister died in the early hours of Wednesday after battling abdominal cancer for about six months, according to AFP.
Many of them were wearing black and clutching pictures of the princess, while Thai television stations interrupted their regular programming to report her death with footage showing her life. All newscasters wore black.
"I feel very sad. She did a lot of things for our country," said Chotinart Arunlert, a 71-year-old housewife in Bangkok. Chotinart said she had been at the hospital since 5:00 am to pay her respects to the princess.
HM the King, who was close to his sister and visited her in hospital almost daily, declared a 100-day mourning period among royal family members and royal court officials.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont also announced a 15-day mourning period for government officials and state enterprise workers, and flags at all public buildings will be flown at half mast for 15 days.
The Interior Ministry also asked entertainment businesses including bars and karaoke lounges to "refrain from entertainment activities" for 15 days, a government official said without elaborating.
Princess Galyani, who for much of her life taught French language and literature in universities, was awarded the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian distinction, in late December.
She began her academic career as a professor of French at Chulalongkorn University, the kingdom's most prestigious academic institution.
After a 10-year break from teaching, she took over as head of the French department at Thammasat University in 1969 and later headed the Association of French Professors in Thailand, working to promote the French language.
Later in life, the princess devoted her energies to rural development and education, particularly in Thailand's impoverished northeast.
She also chaired several charities, including the Kidney Foundation, and helped secure funding for the construction of rural schools.
She married twice and had one daughter.
Her body is expected to be taken from the hospital to the Grand Palace where thousands of Thais were gathering to mourn her death.
"I am deeply saddened by her death. I wanted to come here to pay my last respects to her. I love her so much," Noi Keshussien, an elderly woman, told Channel Nine in front of the palace.
