RATCHABURI — Former princess Srirasm, now officially known as Thanphuying Srirasm Suwadee, has asked the media waiting outside her Ratchaburi home to leave her alone, saying she wants to live a quiet commoner’s life with her family.
Her plea was made on Wednesday in a note dated Dec 17 -- a hand-written message with her signature. It was the first time the 43-year-old former princess had responded to the media after His Majesty the King granted her permission to relinquish her royal title last week.
Pol Lt Col Songsak Kaewpolnoi, acting chief of Wat Phleng police station, posted the note on the front gate of Thanphuying Srirasm’s house in tambon Wat Phleng of Wat Phleng district, her hometown, to inform the reporters waiting outside.
“I thank all members of the press for your continuous concern about me and attention to me. But at this time I ask for mercy from the media to allow me to practice Dhamma quietly in this house together with my family,” Thanphuying Srirasm wrote.
The note was released after Thanphuying Srirasm reportedly had been made aware that the media wanted to know about her livelihood after the relinquishing of her royal title.
A team of local police led by Pol Lt Col Songsak were ordered by their superiors to guard the home of the Suwadee family to help ensure privacy for them and prevent disruption from the media as there have been many reporters visiting the house in an attempt to catch a glimpse of Thanphuying Srirasm.
Reports said Thanphuying Srirasm and family members were forced to give alms to monks in a boat on a canal at the back of their home early Tuesday because the monks could not get through the throng of reporters and gain access to the front gate to receive their morning alms.
Police on Wednesday asked members of the press to respect the privacy of Thanphuying Srirasm and stop trying to monitor every movement in her house by crowding around the gate.
Photographers crowd around the front gate of Thanpuying Srirasm's house in tambon Wat Phleng in Ratchaburi to film the hand-written note from the former princess urging them to respect her privacy. The gate is normally blocked off by police guards to prevent the photographers from pointing their cameras through gaps. (Photo by Saichon Srinuanchan)