Bangkok – Providing a rare glimpse of Thailand’s royal pageantry and rituals, the funeral of Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was held Saturday. The ceremony took place at Sanam Luang, or Royal grounds, where Thai kings and royal family members have been cremated for the past two centuries. The princess’ remains were taken there on an ornate palanquin carried by 60 soldiers from the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, where she had been lying in state for 11 months. King Bhumibol and his wife, Queen Sirikit, presided over the chanting of Buddhist prayers and a “symbolic lighting” of the cremation fire Saturday evening. The actual cremation was held after 10 pm (1500 GMT), after more than 3000 invited guests had a chance to pay their respects to the princess by placing sandalwood flowers on her bier. The ceremony was observed by tens of thousands on Thais, many of whom came from the provinces to witness the cremation of the much beloved princess, well-known for her charity works. “We are here because we love the princess and the king,” said Lek Paekhajae, 65, a farmer from Nakorn Sawan, 210 kilometres north of Bangkok. Lek and his wife arrived at Sanam Luang on Friday morning to make sure they had a frontline view of the processions. The public will not be allowed into the cremation area. Galyani died on January 2 of abdominal cancer, aged 84. The government declared three days of official mourning from Friday to Sunday . . .

Pictures of Cambodia, people, family and places… I recently went there and fell in love with the country. It’s a wonderful, but often sad place.

India: It’s People and Culture A short film made for a multi-cultural fair. I have not been to India, but my family is a big fan of Indian music and movies.