People from all walks of life are converging at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok's Pathum Wan district to pay their respects to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajarakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati after the announcement of her passing on Friday.
The atmosphere at the hospital, where the princess had been receiving treatment, is filled with sadness after the news was announced on Friday morning, with many mourners donning black and holding photos of their beloved princess, with tears in their eyes. The princess will be transported to Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace for royal funeral rites.
Princess Bajarakitiyabha passed away at 7.48pm on Thursday, at the age of 47, according to the Royal Household Bureau. She was hospitalised since Dec 15, 2022, after collapsing due to a heart-related condition in Pak Chong district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the previous day.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charvirakul called an emergency cabinet meeting to prepare for the instructions from the palace following the announcement of her passing, with the Thai flag at Government House lowered at half-staff.
'Overwhelmed'
At Chulalongkorn Hospital, mourners gathered Friday to pay their respects.
"When I heard the announcement, I was very sad," said Thanyaporn Arammekha, a 66-year-old retiree whose eyes were swollen from crying.
"I love the monarchy because my parents divorced when I was very young. King Rama IX was like a father figure to me," she said, referring to the former king, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
She said she had visited the hospital regularly while the princess was receiving treatment and had rushed there as soon as she had heard the news.
Kanokpan Chantarapetch, 67, a retired provincial official, also came to pay her respects.
"I can't really speak. I'm overwhelmed," she told Agence France-Presse (AFP) through tears.
"I have loved Princess Bha since she was very young," she said, adding that "as a former government worker, I understand how much the royal family has done for the country".
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, the mother of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, passed away in October last year at the age of 93.
