Crown Prince delivers bathing rites water for Samak

The palace has also decided to host the sevenday Abhidhamma recital ritual.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn delivered the water for bathing rites on behalf of Their Majesties yesterday evening at Wat Benjamabhopit. Once the Crown Prince left the premises at 6pm, the venue was opened to the public for an hour before the Abhidhamma recital began.

Several public figures attended the rites yesterday, including Veera Musigapong, Nattawut Saikua and Jatuporn Promphan, who are all leaders of the Democracy Alliance against Dictatorship.

Also present were MajGeneral Khatiya Sawasdipol; former interior minister Snoh Thienthong; Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul; Dr Prommin Lertsuridej; Transport Minister Sophon Saram; and Deputy Bangkok Governor Dr Malinee Sukavejworakit.

At 4.30pm, Khunying Pojaman Damapong, former wife of exPM Thaksin Shinawatra, and former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, delivered three wreaths - one each from Pojaman, Somchai and Thaksin. Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey, Pojaman's brother Bannapot Damapong, Thaksin's sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and former finance minister Surapong Seubwonglee also attended the bathing rites.

Earlier at about 3.30pm, while Democrat MPs arrived to pay their last respects to Samak, some redshirt demonstrators camped at the entrance started shaking red plastic clappers and booing.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party's chief adviser Chuan Leekpai's younger brother Raluek made merit in Samak's honour at Wat Khok Lor in Trang's Muang district yesterday morning.

When asked about the 2008 libel lawsuit he had filed against Samak for saying that Raleuk had escaped the Bt230 million embezzlement charges because the statute of limitations had ended, he said he would let the case run its legal course. However, he added, that since Samak had now passed away he was willing to forgive him because he wanted the dead man's spirit to rest in peace.