Bangkok: People across Thailand mourn and pay their respects to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, while government agencies nationwide lowered flags to half-mast in mourning.
According to Thai News Agency, the atmosphere in Khon Kaen province is filled with sorrow after the public learned from the Royal Household that Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavadi, Krom Luang Rajasarinisiripatchara Mahavajrarajathida, had passed away. Government agencies in Khon Kaen province have lowered flags to half-mast to express their condolences.
Dr. Sukanya Kanjanabhat, a specialist registered nurse and Deputy Director of Nursing at Thanyarak Hospital, Khon Kaen, who previously served in activities of the Friends in Need (of Thailand) Foundation for over 10 years, revealed that she is still struggling to cope with this immense loss. Throughout the time she had the opportunity to work in the treatment and care of drug addicts under the operation of the Friends in Need (of Thailand) Foundation, Her Royal Highness was a crucial source of encouragement and spiritual support for those working with her and the people facing hardship.
Ms. Nongnuch Khamkhong, a 75-year-old resident of Ang Thong Province, recounted that she had the opportunity to serve Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha in the vocational training and quality of life improvement projects for prisoners for over 16 years. The prisoner development project is primarily implemented through the "Project for Encouragement under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha," which aims to provide comprehensive assistance to offenders, focusing on mental development, vocational training, and improving the quality of life for female prisoners, mothers, and children accompanying prisoners, so that they can reintegrate into society sustainably.
In 2007, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Ang Thong Province for the first time to inaugurate a flood relief project. This gave Ms. Nongnuch the opportunity to serve her on various projects ever since. Her Royal Highness is remembered for being approachable and unpretentious. She visited Ms. Nongnuch privately at her residence seven times, and Ms. Nongnuch has preserved the earthen house she built for Her Royal Highness during her visits, with plans to turn it into a museum to showcase her royal activities.
At Chiang Mai Provincial Hall, the national flag was lowered to half-mast to express condolences and mourn the passing of Her Royal Highness. Aranatcha Boonkasorn, a state enterprise employee, expressed her sadness over the loss, saying that after seeing the announcement on television, she felt heartbroken and didn't know what to do. She prayed that Her Majesty would rest in peace.
Mae Chan Maman, a 72-year-old resident of Chiang Mai, shed tears of sadness and regret over the loss of Her Royal Highness's abilities and the good deeds she had done for the nation and the Thai people.
At Phuket Provincial Hall, flags were lowered to half-mast as a symbol of mourning following the passing of Her Royal Highness. Government officials arriving at work were in a somber atmosphere, dressed in black as a sign of mourning. The public expressed that this is a great loss for the Thai people, as Her Royal Highness was a beloved princess known for her kindness and compassion, especially remembered for her role as a princess knowledgeable in law.