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Published on January 12, 2008

Ngamyam Nakarindh, 82, who travelled from Pattani province, bought a souvenir pin after she paid her respects. She had often visited Siriraj Hospital while the Princess was there.

"I want something to remember her by, and this pin will be a memento of a beautiful princess who has gone to heaven," she said. "She was like a sister to me."

Boonsri Yindi, 63, an actress from Khon Kaen province, paid Bt300 for photos of the Princess.

"I want all Thai people to follow in her footsteps by showing kindness to everybody," she said.

An elderly couple, Monica and Marcel Lauredi from Nice in France, also attended the ceremony at the Grand Palace and bought a souvenir pin. Monica said she had once spoken to the Princess at a French Embassy function in Bangkok.

"It was wonderful to speak French with her, though it was only for three minutes," she said. "I was very sad when I heard she had passed away."

Monica and her husband visit Thailand every year on holiday. "It is a good thing for Thai people that they have a great King and Royal Family who have done such a lot for their people," she said

Potjanee Kochasane, a 30-year-old vendor of photos of the Princess, said she got up early every day to open her kiosk. Most of her customers are from out of town, and she takes in about Bt2,000 a day.

"I'm selling them cheap because I want people to remember her," she said.

Malai Manoi, 53, was selling commemorative pins and necklaces for just Bt50 each and only took in about Bt1,000 a day from locals and tourists.

The Royal Household Bureau permits only people dressed soberly in black or white to attend the ceremony, and Huan Boonsri, 52, who opened her shop in front of the Grand Palace more than 20 years ago, is renting black skirts and shirts to those improperly dressed.

For this sad event she is charging just Bt30-Bt40 with a Bt100 deposit and will sell the garments outright for Bt100 each.

"I want to help people attend this important event. It makes me happy being part of it," she said.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation