PEOPLE in the Phuket region who came to know and love HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana will mourn her over the next few days as the nation stops for her cremation.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has asked that people wear black for three days from Friday on, and entertainment venues have been instructed to close, or open in subdued fashion.
The island of Maprao, off Phuket's east coast, will miss the princess especially. She visited the island just once, but had a major impact on the well-being of the local community.
She brought with her a team of doctors to treat the locals and provide a clinic for young babies.
The princess landed by helicopter on a beach at low tide in April 2004 and left three hours later, before the water rose.
Koh Maprao's head man, U-Nobe Peachdee, said Maprao would have its own prayer session for the princess this weekend.
Back in 2004, he was impressed with the friendliness of the princess and the way she cared for local people.
''She liked the people here,'' he said. ''She liked the peace of the island and wanted local Muslims and Buddhists to continue to live in peace.''
Nuchom Plookmaidee, leader of the island's volunteer public health team, said that on Saturday, Buddhist and Muslim ceremonies would be held on Koh Maprao.
''When the princess visited, it was wonderful,'' she said. ''She promised to come again to visit. But it didn't happen.''
The island, with a population of 750, gave the princess batik as a memento of her visit. Khun Nuchom presented it to the princess.
U-Sobe Prohpring, a member of the island Orbortor, said that on cremation day, everyone would wear white. This is the Muslim color of mourning, while Buddhists wear black.
The team of doctors had improved health standards on the island quickly, he said.
Teerapong Cheeplak, head of the island's health station, said the local people were proud to have the princess visit. It was her decision to go to the island, he said.
She mixed with the locals and went to visit people's homes just the way a neighbor would, Khun Teerapong said.
The visit by the princess had helped in a dramatic way to improve the lives of people on the island.
A few weeks ago, when experts from around the world met on Phuket to examine dengue fever, Koh Maprao was cited because high hygiene standards and community awareness had reduced cases of dengue to nil.
The princess deserves some of the credit.
Ceremony Timetable
On Phuket, the ceremonies for the princess will begin at 2pm on Saturday, November 15, at Wat Vichit Sangkaram (Wat Kuan), near Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
About 10,000 sandalwood flowers have been prepared to be burned as people pay their respects.
The sandalwood flowers will be presented to visitors as they arrive at the temple.
2.10pm Governor arrives
2.30pm Ceremony starts
4.30pm Symbolic Royal cremation begins in Bangkok
10pm Actual cremation in Bangkok
Similar ceremonies will take place to the same timetable at Wat Phra Thong in Talang and Wat Get Ho in Kathu.
The mourning period on Phuket begins on Friday, November 14 and lasts until November 16. In Bangkok, the ceremonies continue for three more days, making a total of six days.
Phuket Bar Owners Asked To Mourn Too
This weekend's elaborate royal cremation will bring three days during which bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are being asked to close or to behave in a more subdued fashion.
Phuket Bar Owners Asked To Mourn Too
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has asked that people wear black for three days from Friday on, and entertainment venues have been instructed to close, or open in subdued fashion.
The island of Maprao, off Phuket's east coast, will miss the princess especially. She visited the island just once, but had a major impact on the well-being of the local community.
She brought with her a team of doctors to treat the locals and provide a clinic for young babies.
The princess landed by helicopter on a beach at low tide in April 2004 and left three hours later, before the water rose.
Koh Maprao's head man, U-Nobe Peachdee, said Maprao would have its own prayer session for the princess this weekend.
Back in 2004, he was impressed with the friendliness of the princess and the way she cared for local people.
''She liked the people here,'' he said. ''She liked the peace of the island and wanted local Muslims and Buddhists to continue to live in peace.''
Nuchom Plookmaidee, leader of the island's volunteer public health team, said that on Saturday, Buddhist and Muslim ceremonies would be held on Koh Maprao.
''When the princess visited, it was wonderful,'' she said. ''She promised to come again to visit. But it didn't happen.''
The island, with a population of 750, gave the princess batik as a memento of her visit. Khun Nuchom presented it to the princess.
U-Sobe Prohpring, a member of the island Orbortor, said that on cremation day, everyone would wear white. This is the Muslim color of mourning, while Buddhists wear black.
The team of doctors had improved health standards on the island quickly, he said.
Teerapong Cheeplak, head of the island's health station, said the local people were proud to have the princess visit. It was her decision to go to the island, he said.
She mixed with the locals and went to visit people's homes just the way a neighbor would, Khun Teerapong said.
The visit by the princess had helped in a dramatic way to improve the lives of people on the island.
A few weeks ago, when experts from around the world met on Phuket to examine dengue fever, Koh Maprao was cited because high hygiene standards and community awareness had reduced cases of dengue to nil.
The princess deserves some of the credit.
Ceremony Timetable
On Phuket, the ceremonies for the princess will begin at 2pm on Saturday, November 15, at Wat Vichit Sangkaram (Wat Kuan), near Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
About 10,000 sandalwood flowers have been prepared to be burned as people pay their respects.
The sandalwood flowers will be presented to visitors as they arrive at the temple.
2.10pm Governor arrives
2.30pm Ceremony starts
4.30pm Symbolic Royal cremation begins in Bangkok
10pm Actual cremation in Bangkok
Similar ceremonies will take place to the same timetable at Wat Phra Thong in Talang and Wat Get Ho in Kathu.
The mourning period on Phuket begins on Friday, November 14 and lasts until November 16. In Bangkok, the ceremonies continue for three more days, making a total of six days.
Phuket Bar Owners Asked To Mourn Too
This weekend's elaborate royal cremation will bring three days during which bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are being asked to close or to behave in a more subdued fashion.
Phuket Bar Owners Asked To Mourn Too
