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Published on January 18, 2008

"Half of them will be in a standing position and the rest will be sitting," Fine Arts Department traditional arts office head Thanachai Suwanwattana said yesterday.

Thanachai said the sculptures would be based on those used to adorn the royal crematorium of Her Royal Highness Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother in 1996.

Made of fibreglass, the 1996 sculptures are no longer usable.

The Princess passed away aged 84 on January 2.

As the beloved sister of His Majesty and a great contributor to society, people across the country have mourned her passing.

Since January 10, 132,562 people have paid tribute to her at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace, where she is lying in state.

Mourners who arrived early yesterday had the opportunity to glimpse Their Majesties the King and the Queen.

"I came here to see Their Majesties and to pay tribute to the Princess," Yupin Rattanasa-thien, 82, of Pattani said.

She once met the Princess who was leading a medical team in the South, and was impressed by the Princess's gracious, down-to-earth character.

"Her compassion for underprivileged people was clear," Yupin said. Accompanied by his family, 80-year-old Thomya Wongliang travelled from Sing Buri to pay his respects.

He was particularly delighted to have the opportunity to witness Their Majesties arrival at the throne hall.

Their Majesties arrived around 10.45am to make merit in dedication of the Princess.

The public is allowed into the throne hall between 2pm and 4pm. Nevertheless, many arrived as early as 6am so they could see Their Majesties.

In a related development, Culture Ministry permanent secretary Vira Rojpojchanarat said foreigners would from today receive a copy of a commemorative book about the Princess in English if they attended the throne hall.

"We have published 50,000 copies in English," Vira said in response to interest from foreigners.

Pakamard Jaichalard

The Nation