PHUKET MOURNED a princess today and tonight with fitting ceremony and a great amount of grieving.

Hundreds of dignitaries, officers from both the military and the public service and every island walk of life, gathered at Wat Vichit Sangkaram (Wat Kuan), near Provincial Hall in Phuket City to bid goodbye.

Wars and great sadness unite nations. Thailand was united today to celebrate the life and the memory of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who set a fine example through her many good deeds.

On Phuket, her passing was marked at three temples, with the Governor attending Wat Kuan.

As is his custom, he arrived alone and unexpectedly early and circulated among every section of the seated crowd, greeting those he knew and those he did not know with a wai.

All around the nation, similar ceremonies were being held to mirror the official farewell being held simultaneously in Bangkok.

It was a day of great sadness, a rare Royal cremation, and many Thais dressed all in black, or white, or a combination of both to show their respect.

From 7.30pm, sandalwood flowers were individually presented under a large portrait of the Princess by long queues of respectful mourners.

Many of those who came during the afternoon went home and changed and returned for the nighttime ceremony.

It was a long process, befitting a Royal. Troupes performed traditional dances during the evening.

The ceremony began at 2pm and concluded at 10pm, then was followed by fireworks.

Mourners were able to watch large screen projections live from Bangkok to see what was happening in the national capital.

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