Thai Royal Family Celebrates Birth

[mffun]

Thai royal family celebrates birth

From correspondents in Bangkok, Thailand

30apr05

AS the Thai royal family celebrated the birth of a son to Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, it was also to hold the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's grandson, who died in December's tsunami.

Mom Srirasmi Mahidol Na Ayuthaya's first son, who's name has not been released, was delivered last night, the royal household bureau announced today.

"A team of physicians performed a caesarean at 6.35pm (9.35pm AEST) Friday for Mom Srirasmi Mahidol Na Ayutthaya," the official statement said.

"The baby boy weighs 2680 grams. The baby and Mom Srirasmi are doing well and the doctors are satisfied."

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra congratulated the royal couple in his weekly radio address today, saying the public was happy with the royal baby.

"Last night there was a very auspicious news for the whole kingdom that Mom Srirasmi has given birth to baby boy, and both mother and the baby are in good health," he said.

News of the royal baby dominated the front pages of most Thai- and English-language newspapers.

The mass circulation Thai Rath newspaper reported that Thai Queen Sirikit and other senior members of royal family went to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital last night to congratulate the Crown Prince, 52, and his wife, 33.

The royal household announced on February 14 that Srirasmi was pregnant, with the baby due in mid-May.

However, physicians decided a natural birth was not possible and opted for a caesarean, the royal statement said.

Srirasmi is not a princess, and met the prince in 1993 when she began working for him as a civil servant.

The crown prince was formerly married to Princess Somsawali in 1977. Their daughter, Princess Bajarakitiyabha, was born in 1978 and is studying law in the United States.

Separately, the royal family was today to hold a funeral and cremation for Bhumi Jensen, the king's 21-year-old grandson, who was killed in December's tsunami in Phangnga province.

Bhumi is the son of Princess Ubolratana and her estranged American husband Peter Jensen. He was holidaying with his mother at the time but she survived.

The prince's favourite horse, Nike, a brown, will lead the police procession through Bangkok.

Around 100,000 people are expected to line the route, news reports said.

The Thai king and queen and other members of the royal family are expected at the cremation ceremony in the Thep Sirintharawat temple.

The tsunami killed almost 5400 people in Thailand, about half of them believed to be foreign holidaymakers.

--thecouriermail.news.com.au

Already mentioned in the News clippings forum:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33111

Edited April 30, 2005 by george