The government will extend the period requiring state officials and employees to wear black and white clothes in mourning for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana from 15 days to 100 days, a senior official said yesterday. 
 
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who had a meeting with senior officials from ministries yesterday, also agreed to end the mourning dress code on April 10, said secretary-general of the Office of Civil Service Commission, Preecha Vajrabhaya. The PM's Office secretariat will propose it to the Cabinet today.

The Public Health Ministry asked for cooperation from its personnel to wear black and white clothes in mourning for the Princess for 100 days. The Interior Ministry also made the same request to its officials, according to Samut Songkhram Governor Opas Sawetmanee.

A steady stream of people continued to pay their respects to the Princess at the Grand Palace's Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall yesterday.

At 2.30pm, Princess Kesang Choden Wangchuk along with Princess Pem Pem Wangchuk and Princess Kesang Choden Wangchuk graciously represented the Bhutanese royal family to lay wreaths for the Princess at the throne hall.

Earlier at 6.45am, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made food offering to eight Buddhist monks holding Abhidhamma prayer services, in the Throne Hall. At 7.08am,

HRH Princess Bajra Kitiyabha arrived at the Throne Hall to join the Abhidhamma services.

The Bureau of the Royal Household also announced that citizens had donated a combined sum exceeding Bt5.78 million in reverence to the Princess from January 2 to 13.

The bureau stated that it had opened a "Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Fund" account to sponsor the Princess's various royal projects.

The mourning for the beloved Princess's passing also took place in other places. In the southern province of Yala, a group of 260 religious leaders yesterday signed a condolence book at the City Hall.

Thai citizens in Sydney and New South Wales also expressed sadness upon the Princess's passing and chose to wear black and white attire. The Consulate has set up a memorial for the Princess to enable them to pay their respects and sign their names until January 18, said Krietikul Chartprasert, a Thai Consulate official in Sydney.

He noted that many Australians and foreigners also paid their respects and signed their names at the consulate.

Hundreds of Thais living in Australia also held two memorial services to make merit for the Princess on January 5 and 6, he added.