Thais join royal cremation of late princess Bejaratana

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) – Thai people across the country gathered at Sanam Luang here Monday to witness the Royal Cremation Ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda. The Royal Cremation Ceremony began at 7a.m. Monday as the royal urn containing the remains of Princess Bejaratana was carried from the Grand Palace to Sanam Luang where the cremation pyre stands. Thousands of black-clad Thais arrived as early as 5 a.m. to reserve their place along the streets on which the royal cremation processions would take place in order to bid farewell to the late princess. Fifty teams of doctors were kept on standby to offer medical services to those in need. The symbolic royal cremation is scheduled to be held at 4.30 p.m. while the actual royal cremation will take place at 10 p.m. HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda was the only child of King Rama VI. She died from a blood infection on July 27 last year at the age of 85. Durian Prasertnuch, 72 from Nonthaburi province, said he showed up to express gratitude toward the royal family who had contributed greatly to the nation and to witness the rare royal ceremony. He said he intends to wait until later on to witness the actual royal cremation of the late princess. (TNA)