Mourners to bid farewell to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana

Princess Galyani passed away on January 2 this year at the age of 84 after a long battle with abdominal cancer.

Thai people were seen wearing black to honour the princess on Friday, the first day of the three-day official mourning period. The artists meanwhile were doing the finishing touch to the royal crematorium and its surrounding at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.

People in black travelled to Sanam Luang to take photographs of the royal crematorium before the royal cremation ceremony begins on Saturday. Many stalls are selling the photos of the late princess and commemorative postal stamps there.

Meanwhile, local authorities in the provinces are also arranging religious ceremonies to coincide with the royal cremation ceremony in Bangkok.

During three days of national mourning from November 14-16, national flags will fly at half mast.  The six-day royal cremation ceremony is scheduled between November 14 19.

On Saturday, the urn of the late princess will be carried by the royal chariot from the Grand Palace to the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang. His Majesty the King will preside over the ceremony at 4.30 pm.

A royal meritmaking ceremony for the ashes will take place at the Grand Palace from Nov 16 - 18 and the ashes will be placed at the royal temple, Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram on November 19.