Thailand bids final farewell to princess
Thailand holds a procession on Monday as part of the royal funeral of Princess Bejaratana.
Crown prince Vajiralongkorn chaired the event as a final tribute to the Princess, who died on July 27 2011 as a result of septicaemia.
Princess Bejaratana was the only child of King Rama VI, and a close cousin of the current king Bhumipol.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) WAI ARTWONGSA, 52-YEAR-OLD FROM NONTHABURI, SAYING:
"She was a daughter of King Rama VI. She was a very important person for her generation."
Thousands of Thai royalists dressed in black to see the royal urn transferred in a traditional procession from Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall to the Royal Crematorium in the grounds of Sanam Luang.
It was carried by the royal chariot, which was built from gilded teak wood during King Rama I's reign, over 200 years ago.
The royal family is revered in Thailand and many people came to pay their respects.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 62-YEAR-OLD KORNKANOK THONGNAK, SAYING:
"I want to take my niece to see the country's history as she needs to learn in the future."
King Bhumipol, Queen Sirikij and members of the royal family were scheduled to attend the symbolic royal cremation, followed by the actual cremation later in the day.
Caitlin Prentke, Reuters
Crown prince Vajiralongkorn chaired the event as a final tribute to the Princess, who died on July 27 2011 as a result of septicaemia.
Princess Bejaratana was the only child of King Rama VI, and a close cousin of the current king Bhumipol.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) WAI ARTWONGSA, 52-YEAR-OLD FROM NONTHABURI, SAYING:
"She was a daughter of King Rama VI. She was a very important person for her generation."
Thousands of Thai royalists dressed in black to see the royal urn transferred in a traditional procession from Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall to the Royal Crematorium in the grounds of Sanam Luang.
It was carried by the royal chariot, which was built from gilded teak wood during King Rama I's reign, over 200 years ago.
The royal family is revered in Thailand and many people came to pay their respects.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 62-YEAR-OLD KORNKANOK THONGNAK, SAYING:
"I want to take my niece to see the country's history as she needs to learn in the future."
King Bhumipol, Queen Sirikij and members of the royal family were scheduled to attend the symbolic royal cremation, followed by the actual cremation later in the day.
Caitlin Prentke, Reuters
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