ruth901
Thailand says goodbye to popular royalThousands mourn Princess Bha – her final journey moves an entire country
Thais mourn their princess
hjb, Adryel Talamantes/ZUMA Press We, Adryel Talamantes
Bangkok stands still.
Following the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol (called “Bha”), hundreds of mourners line the streets of the Thai capital to pay their last respects to their princess. The 47-year-old's body is brought to the royal palace in a solemn funeral procession – a moving moment for the entire country.
Black clothing, lowered flags and lots of tears
Public mourning for Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol has begun in Thailand. Hundreds of people gathered outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Saturday to await the arrival of the funeral procession. The body of the king's daughter, known as Princess Bha, was to be taken from Chulalongkorn Hospital to the royal palace and laid in public there.
The royal palace announced that the ceremony would take place “with the highest honors.” Civil servants were ordered to wear black. Flags across the country will fly at half-mast for 15 days. Police warned of significant traffic disruptions along the route of the funeral procession.
For many people, the loss is difficult to understand. 54-year-old English teacher Donnapha Kladbupha waited hours for the funeral procession to arrive. “I'll wait here all day for her body. Saying goodbye isn't easy for us,” she said.
Long queues also formed in front of a portrait of the princess. Many people took part in Buddhist rituals and donated holy water. One mourner said: “I feel sad that she died, especially when I saw her childhood pictures.” She repeatedly prayed for the princess during her long illness.
Three and a half years of hope – then the sad certainty
Princess Bha died “peacefully” on Thursday evening at the age of 47, the royal palace announced. She had been in a coma since December 2022. At that time, she suffered a heart attack during a training mission with army working dogs.
For years the country hoped for her recovery. But a few weeks ago, according to the Royal Palace, her condition deteriorated dramatically due to an “uncontrollable” infection. Finally, King Maha Vajiralongkorn's eldest daughter lost the fight for her life.
The qualified lawyer was considered one of the most famous personalities in the Thai royal family. Among other things, she worked for the United Nations, represented her country as ambassador to Austria and was particularly committed to women's rights and better conditions for female prison inmates. Shortly before her illness, she had also taken on a leading position in her father's personal security detail.
Recommendations from our partners
Video tip: Royal family in deep mourning! Popular Princess Bha is dead
A royal family in deep mourning
With the death of Princess Bha, Thailand has lost one of the most visible representatives of the monarchy. Her father, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has a total of seven children from four marriages. The 73-year-old has not yet named an official heir to the throne.
Reading tip: Danish royals in mourning! Queen Mary's father is dead
While the royal family mourns, the eyes of the country and the Thai people are now turning to the moving farewell ceremonies for a princess who, for many of her subjects, was much more than just a member of the royal family. (yeah)
Sources used: dpa
