More time for royal tributes
Members of the public who want to write a get-well message for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Na rend ira de by a va ti will get another opportunity to do so.
The Royal Household Bureau has decided to allow well-wishers to pay tributes to the princess for two more hours each day.
Those wishing to pen messages for the princess can now do so between 8am and 6pm every day at Bhumisiri Mangkhalanusorn Building at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
People yesterday continued to turn up at the hospital to write messages for the princess and present flowers before the princess’ portrait at the hospital.
They included Chinese ambassador Han Zhiqiang, Pattaya City Mayor Poramate Ngampichet, the Thai-German Society, the Office of the Royal Society, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University.
Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, who was also among the well-wishers who came yesterday, said the princess has always paid attention to people’s well-being.
“Her works are aimed at easing the people’s plight and bringing happiness to them. Thais are joining together as one to pray for her speedy recovery,’’ Mr Anand said.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha is being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital after losing consciousness due to heart problems last Wednesday.
The princess passed out while training her pet dogs at 6.20pm in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district last Wednesday.
The dogs were being trained as they were slated to take part in the Thailand Working Dog Championship organised by the Royal Thai Army, which ends today.
The princess was initially taken to Pak Chong Nana Hospital, where medics administered first aid under the advice of royal physicians.
Once her condition had stabilised, she was airlifted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.
Several Thai embassies abroad organised chanting sessions and merit-making activities for the princess’ recovery yesterday.
The Thai embassy in Canberra, Australia, held a chanting session at Wat Thammatharo.
Officials at the Thai embassy and the Thai community in Prague, Czech Republic, also took part in a chanting session at Wat Thamkittiwong.
The Royal Thai Consulates-General in Chicago and Sydney also held a chanting session for the princess.
A well-known former university lecturer has apologised for having solicited cash donations to finance a ritual that he claimed could cure Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati of her ailments, after he was charged by the police over his actions.
Suvinai Pornavalai, 66, was released on bail yesterday, after which he took to Facebook to apologise for his actions.
“I was trying everything in my power to help.
“All my life, I’ve practised spiritual rites, [but] I did not realise that [offering my services] was inappropriate and misleading,” he wrote.
According to the deputy commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), Pol
Maj Gen Wiwat Khamchamnan, the former university lecturer was charged with violating the Computer Crimes Act and Donations Act, as well as fraud.
Mr Suvinai acknowledged the first two offences but denied committing fraud, he said, before adding the former academic’s actions were not considered a violation of the lese majeste law as outlined by Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
According to the police, Mr Suvinai had received about 700,000 baht from various people.
Pol Maj Gen Wiwat said that even if no complaints have been filed against Mr Suvinai, the police can still press charges.