His Majesty the King has acknowledged, with great sadness, the loss of General Prem Tinsulanonda, whom he described as a great national benefactor, according to an announcement from the Royal Household Bureau.
The announcement said HM the King has agreed to sponsor the funeral rite at Wat Benjamaborpit Dusitwanaram for seven days from Monday and presented a Royal urn for the late statesman.
General Prem had served the country and the Monarchy with loyalty and diligence since the reign of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in various capacities; as the army commander-in-chief, prime minister, privy councilor, statesman, president of the Privy Council, as well as a regent to the extent he had earned the trust of the late King by being a great benefactor of the country, said the statement.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the bathing rite on behalf of HM the King on Monday at 6pm.
Their Majesties the King and Queen will preside over a merit-making ceremony on June 2nd. Merit-making ceremonies are to be held on June 10th, July 15th and on September 3rd.
Palace officials were ordered to observe the mourning period by wearing black for 21 days from Monday until June 17th, with the exception of June 3rd which coincides with the birthday of HM Queen Suthida.
Meanwhile, the government has ordered Thai national flags at all government and state enterprise offices, as well as educational institutions, to fly at half-mast for seven days starting on Monday as a gesture of respect and condolence for Statesman General Prem.
All state officials were also ordered to observe the mourning until June 17th while members of the public in general were advised to act as they think appropriate.
