The most touching part of all the ceremonies was when the King lit the cremation fire, followed by the Queen, and then as the Crown Prince walked forward the King suddenly became agitated and then Crown Prince ran off only to reappear with the late Princess’ only daughter who the King helped put her flame on the fire, in return she hugged the King at the waist. The King then summoned the late Princess’ only grandson and gave him a pat on the shoulder before then allowing the Crown Prince to carry on. The Crown Prince also, I have to say, looked tired and gaunt but then he had been doing all night vigils but he was supported by his wife who was given all the precedence of the wife of the Crown Prince and of full royal rank.
Having been a frequent visitor to Thailand I now note how the Thais are now “marketing” their royals. Around the cremation site of the Princess were hundreds of stalls selling photographs of the Royal family, I also came across a number of shops selling similar photos (as well as souvenir plates and rice bowls with pictures of the King on). In regards to the photos there were 6 main people who kept appearing – the King, the Queen, the late Princess, the late Princess Mother, the King of Bhutan (who is very popular out there for some reason), Princess Sirindhorn and the youngest son of the Crown Prince. A further surprise was that you could buy badges to wear not only of the late Princess but also of the little prince (he seems to be very photogenic and very popular – in fact some suggest he should succeed under a regency of his aunt!).
Stephen
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