Thailand Declares 15-day National Mourning For Princess Bajrakitiyabha

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, June 12 (Bernama) -- Thailand on Friday declared a 15-day period of national mourning following the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, with flags to be flown at half-mast at government institutions nationwide. 

Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the national mourning arrangements were endorsed at a special Cabinet meeting after ministers were informed of the Princess's death by the Bureau of the Royal Household.

“The Cabinet has directed civil servants, state enterprise employees and government officials to observe the mourning period, while encouraging members of the public to do likewise,” she said in a statement.

Ratchada said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul paid tribute to the Princess and led Cabinet ministers in observing a moment of silence to honour her contributions to the nation.

She said the national mourning period took effect immediately, with Anutin directing all relevant agencies to ensure the royal funeral ceremonies are conducted with full honours and in accordance with royal traditions.

Ratchada said a committee chaired by Anutin would be established under the Prime Minister's Office to oversee all aspects of the funeral arrangements, including ceremonial administration, the construction of the royal crematorium, public communications and security.

She said the Ministry of Culture, through the Fine Arts Department, would oversee ceremonial protocols and the construction of the royal crematorium, while the Ministry of Interior and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would organise commemorative activities for the public to pay tribute to the late Princess.

The Bureau of the Royal Household announced on Friday that Princess Bajrakitiyabha died peacefully at Chulalongkorn Hospital at 7.48 pm on Thursday while undergoing treatment. She was 47.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha had been receiving treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital since December 2022 after collapsing from a heart-related condition while training her pet dog in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.

-- BERNAMA