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Published on January 11, 2008

The 84-year-old Princess was the elder sister of His Majesty the King. Samakhom Pavilion in the Grand Palace and specially prepared corners across the country to pay their tribute to her.

As His Majesty's beloved sister and great contributor to the country, her death has left the whole country in mourning.

Since she passed away on January 2, thousands of people have flocked to the Saha Thai

The Royal Household Bureau, however, yesterday closed the Saha Thai Samakhom Pavilion as mourners can now pay their respects directly before the Princess's body, not just her portrait.

Mourners were advised to enter the Grand Palace complex from the Wises Chaisri Gate and go through the Piman Chaisri Gate before turning right to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. When they arrive at the glass wall, officials were on standby to help them form orderly lines to get inside the throne hall.

According to the Royal Household Bureau, the mourners shall enter the throne hall from the eastern door. Any footwear must be removed before coming inside the hall.

Once inside, the mourners shall place their hands together and lay prostrate in a gesture of "krab" before the body of the Princess only once. Then, they will "krab" the Buddha image cast in the posture associated with her birthday three times.

After that, the mourners shall proceed to the northern portico and leave the throne hall in the north and can leave the Grand Palace via Suwan Boribarn and Srisunthorn Gates in the west.

The Royal Household Bureau has prohibited cameras inside the throne hall, but will give a postcard-sized picture of the Princess's royal urn to every mourner coming to pay respects.

The Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall was open to the public between 2pm and 4pm yesterday,

Tomorrow, it will be open between 9am and 4pm.

Proper attire is white or black clothes. Hilltribe people can wear their traditional clothes, and scouts can don their uniforms. Women should wear skirts. Denim skirts or jeans are not allowed.

The Nation