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Davanti ad una folla composta da cristiani e buddisti, l’arcivescovo di Bangkok ha celebrato ieri una messa da Requiem per l’anima della principessa Galyani Vadhana, morta il 2 gennaio scorso. Nel corso della sua omelia, il card. Michai Kitbunchu ha detto che “la principessa ha vissuto la sua vita secondo quanto dice il profeta Isaia: ‘Ecco il mio servo che io sostengo, il mio eletto di cui mi compiaccio. Ho posto il mio spirito su di lui. Non verrà meno e non si abbatterà, finché non avrà stabilito il diritto sulla terra’”. Infatti, ha aggiunto il porporato, “dopo la sua morte, l’intera popolazione ha testimoniato come il suo impegno, la sua stessa vita sia stata dedicata in maniera particolare ai poveri ed ai disabili. Ha portato pace e felicità a tutti i thailandesi”. Fra i presenti nella cattedrale, dove si è svolto il solenne servizio funebre, anche diversi monaci buddisti. Uno di loro, il venerabile Porkrisna Kantasilo, dice ad AsiaNews che “non è stata la prima messa a cui ho partecipato, ma mi ha impressionato molto. E’ stata una funzione molto spirituale, ispiratrice”. Il monaco, che fa parte della Commissione per il dialogo interreligioso, aggiunge: “colgo questa occasione per rivolgere un invito a tutti i cattolici thailandesi: non dovete sentirvi una minoranza, perché siamo tutti esseri umani. Se una persona si comporta bene e segue gli insegnamenti della propria religione, avremo la pace nei nostri cuori e nella nostra società”. (R.P.)

tratto da http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/

PHUKET (Kom Chad Luek, Gazette): Muang District Chief Wisit Kurattanavej this afternoon threatened to blacklist entertainment venues that do not follow the government’s request to observe the national mourning of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away early yesterday morning.

K. Wisit made the announcement at a meeting to discuss a ban on “entertainment noise” during the 15-day national mourning period, which began yesterday.

At the meeting were Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima and top officials including Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth and Phuket’s three district chiefs.

At the meeting it was announced that each District Office today began distributing a letter asking entertainment operators to not stage any live music performances and not use any sound systems during the 15-day period.

In the meantime, apart from the request for silence, entertainment venues can trade as usual.

Normal noise levels on the island can resume January 17.

As for public celebrations, the Phuket Provincial Red Cross Fair currently underway at Saphan Hin will continue until Monday as originally scheduled, but with all concerts and stage performances canceled.

The ban on celebrations will also affect Children’s Day on January 12. “Activities can still proceed as planned but we ask that organizers adjust the entertainment lineup so that it is in line with the request for silence, which will show children how important the Royal Family is,” Vice-Governor Worapoj said.

taken from http://www.phuketgazette.net

Wisit Kurattanavej, Capo del Distretto Centrale minaccia l’iscrizione ad una lista nera di tutti i gestori di locali che non osserveranno i 15 gg. di lutto per la Principessa Galyani Vadhana cominciati ieri.

Nel corso della riunione è stato annunciato che ogni Distretto oggi ha iniziato la distribuzione di una lettera chiedendo ai gestori di locali per l’intrattenimento di fermare qualsiasi genere di spettacoli musicali dal vivo e non utilizzare alcun sistema audio durante il periodo di 15 giorni.

A parte la richiesta relativa alla musica, i locali possono comunque operare il proprio business come di consueto.

tratto da http://www.sawadee.it

Vadhana è deceduta all’età di 84 anni a causa di un tumore

BANGKOK (THAILANDIA) - Chissà cosa succedera quando morirà lui, il sovrano. Probabilmente l’intero Paese resterà in lutto per un anno.

Basti pensare a quello che è successo all’indomani della morte della principessa tailandese Galyani Vadhana, sorella maggiore del re, Bhumibol Adulyadej, deceduta di cancro in ospedale all’età di 84 anni. Il re ha infatti dichiarato 100 giorni di lutto nazionale. Il funerale sarà celebrato nel Grand Palace di Bangkok.

IL CORDOGLIO DELLA POPOLAZIONE - Centinaia di tailandesi sono accorsi davanti all’ospedale Siriraj in abiti neri non appena le radio e le televisioni hanno annunciato la morte della principessa, avvenuta poco prima dell’alba. La nobildonna, nata a Londra, docente di letteratura francese, sposata due volte e madre di una figlia, era stata ricoverata a metà giugno, ma le sue condizioni non erano state rese note fino al mese di ottobre, poco prima che lo stesso re fosse ricoverato nello stesso ospedale per un problema di pressione. Il monarca del regno più longevo del mondo era stato dimesso tre settimane più tardi, ma la sua malattia aveva rivelato al popolo la sua fragilità. Il Paese aveva partecipato in massa alle celebrazioni per il suo ottantesimo compleanno nel dicembre scorso, giusto un anno dopo i festeggiamenti per i suoi 60 anni al trono. Durante il suo regno, Bhumobol ha rappresentato un punto di riferimento durante le frequenti turbolenze politiche, inclusi 18 colpi di Stato, l’ultimo dei quali nel settembre 2006 contro il primo ministro Thaksin Shinawatra. Nonostante i suoi limitati poteri costituzionali, il monarca gode di una grande influenza. Molti tailandesi sono preoccupati per il futuro dopo la sua morte, dato che il suo erede al trono, il cinquantacinquenne principe Maha Vajiralongkorn, non gode della stessa stima accordata a suo padre.

tratto da http://www.corriere.it/

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, eldest sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died early Wednesday, her death denoting not only the passing of a royal person who has contributed good to many during a long and fruitful life, but focusses the thoughts of many Thais on Buddhist concepts of impermanence.

According to the Royal Household Bureau’s 39th statement, even though all possible care had been given by the team of Royal Physicians, Princess Galyani’s condition gradually declined and she succumbed at 2:54 am on the morning of Wednesday January 2.

As a princess who was born and educated abroad, she was first of all older sister to her two younger brothers, Ananda Mahidol and Bhumiphol Adulyadej, both of whom became kings, and witnessed and reflected upon much of Thailand’s history in the 20th century.

Princess Galyani’s passing bears witness to the passing of an era, focusing the thoughts and prayers of the Thai people on His Majesty the King and the future of the kingdom.

Her overall condition had worsened Tuesday with increasingly laboured breathing and failing kidney functions, according to the Royal Household Bureau’s 38th statement issued late in the day.

In addition to treatment for renal failure, the 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.

His Majesty the King, accompanied by his son HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the princess at hospital about 6pm Monday.

In his New Year address broadcast Monday night, the king thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister. People of all walks of life turned up at hospital to sign books wishing the princess well.

By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household is responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.

By Royal Command the Court will be in mourning for 100 days.

His Majesty the King has given Royal Permission for the general public to participate in bahting rites to be conducted before a portrait of the princess at the Sahathaisamagom Hall of the Grand Palace between 1 pm to 4 pm Wednesday afternoon.

HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana was born on May 6, 1923 in London. Graduating in science and chemistry, she was knowledgeable in the arts, languages, and history, and taught French language, literature and history and Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities.

While dedicated to teaching and the arts, Princess Galyani considered it important to continue the work begun by her mother, the Princess Mother, in supporting the activities of the Foundation of Voluntary Doctors under Royal Patronage of HRH the Princess Mother.

Alleviating pain and suffering of ordinary folk who are suffering illness, especially those who could not afford normally available medical services, is a special concern of the voluntary doctors. The doctors particularly try to reach people in Thailand’s more remote areas.

The princess was heavily involved in projects under her royal patronage, especially traditional Thai arts, education, sports and social welfare. She was president and honorary president of organisations and foundations as diverse as the Cardiac Children’s Foundation, the Princess Mother’s Charity Fund and the Autistic Foundation of Thailand.

She created her own foundation for funding the studies of gifted young musicians, and she is the Royal Patron of the Bangkok Opera.

Princess Galyani also traveled widely within Thailand and overseas to represent the royal family and her country on missions and was a focus of affection of the Thai people.

Following is a biography of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana was born May 6, 1923, in London, England, as Her Serene Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the only daughter born to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince Father and the Princess Mother.

On her sixth-cycle birthday in 1995, His Majesty the King performed an investiture ceremony, appointing her as Krom Luang, in accordance with ancient tradition, for the first time in the present reign, as Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. In former days, senior royals were appointed to rule major cities and regions in the name of the king.

The Princess represented His Majesty the King at various functions, and dutifully carries on the noble works initiated by the late Princess Mother.

She paid close attention to all of the projects under her royal patronage, which were extensive and varied, mostly in education, sports, social welfare, medicine, and public health.

As a keen educator, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana realised the importance of basic education, at pre-school and primary levels, for the improvement of the people’s quality of life.

During her trips in the company of the late Princess Mother to remote areas of the country, she took on the task of experimenting with educational tools and toys developed by the Association of University Women Foundation, so that effective educational media for elementary students nationwide could be developed.

The Princess also took up a guest lecturer post with various local universities, focusing on foreign languages and linguistics, especially French. She also sought new methods and theories to improve the teaching of language, and frequently gave advice to teachers of language and literature.

The Princess founded the Association of Teachers of French in Thailand, aimed at improving teaching methods and promoting research into language, art, and culture at all levels and in all disciplines. The Princess served as President of the Association from 1977 to 1981, and was the Honourary President.

Her Royal Highness was a staunch supporter of Thai youth participation in academic Olympiads, in both science and mathematics. She granted the use of her personal funds and the funds from the Princess Mother’s Charity Fund. She also followed up closely on events held in various parts of the world, giving encouragement and constant support.

She also supported several sporting activities for youth.

Continuing with the good works of her royal parents, the Princess accepted under her royal patronage foundations related to social welfare, and public health. She served as Vice President of the Princess Mother’s Charity Fund, Honorary President of the Princess Mother’s Mobile Doctors Foundation, and succeeded the Princess Mother as President of the Siriraj Foundation.

There are other foundations that were also under her royal patronage:

• Cardiac Children’s Foundation, to help cardiac children from poor families, affording them care and treatment by specialists;
• The Princess Mother’s Prosthesis Foundation, set up at the initiative of the late Princess Mother and Princess Galyani Vadhana, to provide artificial limbs for needy amputees. Inexpensive prostheses are manufactured for the purpose;
• Autistic Foundation, set up by the Princess, to take care of autistic children, enabling them to study with other children. Some have even managed to graduate from university;
• The Princess Mother’s Thanyarak Foundation, to create awareness and understanding of breast cancer, “than” being a formal word for “breast.” A Thanyarak Center was set up at Siriraj Hospital as a full-cycle breast cancer center, and
• The Princess Mother’s Mobile Doctors Foundation, with mobile medical units sent out to rural and inaccessible areas. The Princess took the mobile units to those areas herself. Some patients were accepted under the Princess’ royal patronage for medical transfer and treatment in the provinces or Bangkok.

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana was keen on literature, the arts, culture, and history. On her trips abroad, she always visited archaeological sites and places where she could learn about the world’s heritage. The trips were documented and published as well-written books that serve as excellent references.

Also much appreciated are books such as Busy Fingers on the late Princess Mother’s hobbies, Mother Told Me on the private life of the Princess Mother, Young Royals Juvenile Kings on their young days, and The Princely Postcards, a collection of the Prince Father ’s postcards.

With her steadfastness, and the gratitude shown to benefactors and her royal parents, Her Royal Highness contributed greatly to the country and the royal institution. She was invested with titles and the nation’s highest decorations.

Her academic achievements also earned her high commendations from foreign governments and organisations, such as the Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Merite, presented by the French government, and the Victor Hugo medal, presented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation.

taken from http://www.bangkokpost.net

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the beloved sister of His Majesty the King, has died after a length illness at Siriraj Hospital, the Royal Houselhold Bureau has announced. The princess passed away at 02:54 Wednesday morning.

Bathing rites are to take place today at 1pm.

She had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj hospital since mid-June.

Just hours earlier, the 37th statment of the Royal Household Bureau has said, the kidney function of the princess had diminished and the Princess had developed a blood infection.

Royal physicians gave her antibiotics for the infection and tried to maintain all of her bodily systems, the statement said.

His Majesty the King, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the Princess at the hospital about 6pm yesterday.

In his New Year address broadcast last night His Majesty thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister.

People of all walks of life had turned up at the hospital to sign books wishing the Princess well.

taken from http://www.bangkokpost.net 

E’ morta la sorella del Re, la Principessa Galyani Vadhana, il cui nome per esteso era: Somdej Phra Chao Pheenang Ther Chao Fa Galyani Vadhana Kromma Luang Narathiwat Rajanagarindra.

Nata ad Edimburgo (Scozia) il 6 Maggio 1923, la Principessa e’ mancata a seguito di complicazioni dovute ad un tumore all’intestino.

Il Primo Ministro ha annunciato 15 giorni di lutto nazionale, con gli impiegati degli uffici pubblici vestiti di nero e le bandiere a mezz’asta.

tratto da http://www.sawadee.it

Bangkok, 2 gen. (Ap) - La sorella più anziana del re di Thailandia, la principessa Galyani Vadhana, è deceduta oggi all’età di 84 anni. L’annuncio è stato dato dal palazzo reale.

La più anziana delle sorelle del monarca tailandese era ricoverata in ospedale a Bangkok dal mese di giugno scorso, i medici le avevano diagnosticato un cancro.

Donna di grande cultura artistica, la principessa era in particolare un’appassionata di teatro e musica classica. Educata in Svizzera come suo fratello, la principessa parlava cinque lingue e si distingueva per la sua avversione al fasto. “Detesto i pranzi di gala” aveva confidato nel 2000 a un giornalista, sottolineando che trovava questo genere di protocolli “noioso”.Il re ha proclamato 100 giorni di lutto nazionale.