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Published on January 19, 2008

In observance of the period of mourning for the Princess, who died on January 2 at the age of 84, our country is now in the process of paying a fitting tribute.

In addition to people wearing black and white and the curtailing of entertainment activities for 15 days, the story of the Princess's devoted service to the Kingdom and her charity projects are being highlighted by the government and the private sector as well as the media.

Although the late Princess did many selfless things for our country, her devotion to people and culture has never been put in the spotlight like this before.

Since Her Royal Highness passed away, her books - particularly the stories of two kings: HM King Ananda Mahidol and HM King Bhumibol, as well as of the late Princess Mother - have been selling like hot cakes. Many of the titles are now sold out.

Her talents and her interests in education, art, culture, music and history, as well as her social welfare work, are the focus of this year's official book for the 53rd National Children's Day, which was held last Saturday. "Chuen Klao" ("Cherished Over One's Head"), is the name of the book, and its cover is a childhood photograph of the Princess in a blue school uniform.

Rare pictures of Her Royal Highness are now on display at City Hall's Lan Khon Muang Plaza through April 11. Organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the exhibition, "Satit Na Duangjai: Thawai Arai Dae Princess Galyani Vadhana", features the life and works of the late Princess. The exhibition is presented in four special pavilions.

What we have enjoyed and cherished about the late Princess's life is that she was one of the Kingdom's greatest patrons of art and culture. She was a devoted classical music and performing arts aficionado. She was a long-time supporter of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and she founded the Classical Music Promotion Fund to give scholarships to talented young Thais to study abroad.

The Culture Ministry and Silpakorn University's Faculty of Music last year established the Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music to mark the Princess's 84th birthday on May 6. Located on a 10-rai plot of the former Bang Yikhan Brewery, the institute is set to accept its first batch of students in the 2008 academic year with a budget of Bt22.5 million.

In the next four years, the Institute will receive a total of Bt788 million, after which it hopes to become financially independent. Its income will partially come from concerts performed by its chamber players and orchestra. Only about 50 students will be accepted for the primary, junior and secondary education courses.

The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra is planning to hold a requiem charity concert on behalf of the Princess. At the same time, songs about the late Princess penned by Thai musicians including Carabao, Tik Shiro, the Ponglang Sa-on band and Pongsit "Poo" Kampee are becoming popular. Thammasat University's Tha Phra Chan campus, where the late Princess once taught French, is planning to convert her office into a working museum. So many other places where she once visited, worked or lived will become museums or accommodate statues.

These are among the tributes we are making for her.

We are learning more about the sister of two Thai kings and the history of royal merit-making and mourning ceremonies. Interestingly, many Thais seem not too concerned about the proper dress etiquette for these royal ceremonies, which reflects a lack of cultural knowledge.

But paying respect to the late Princess is not only about wearing black and white, going to ceremonies and events or penning tributes; it is also about doing one's duty from the heart and with responsibility. And we should consider the Princess's philosophy of devoting her life to the Kingdom. Paying tribute goes beyond the surface; it comes from our spirit.

"For our family, responsibility is in our nature," the Princess once said. "We are always concerned about what we will do for our country."

The Princess left us with so much. Through her support, we see the brightness of the Thai arts, especially the local classical music scene. I hope these highlights will not fade soon.

Life goes on. Although we are in mourning, art and cultural activities, as well as entertainment, should be allowed to continue. This would be the most fitting tribute to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Phatarawadee Phataranawik

The Nation