Thai princess, elder sister of Thai king, dies at 84

        BANGKOK, Thailand: Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of public mourning and a temporary halt to the country's tumultuous political activity. She was 84.

        The palace announced a 100-day mourning period for royal officials and government offices lowered their flags to half-staff, while civil servants were asked to wear black for 15 days.

        "Although the doctors tried their utmost to treat her, her condition has been deteriorating gradually and she passed away at 2:54 a.m.," said a statement from the Royal Household Bureau.

         Galyani's passing came after the 80-year-old king himself recovered from the symptoms of a stroke after being hospitalized for three weeks in October. Both were tended to at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital.

        Thousands of Thais placed garlands outside the hospital, while crowds gathered later in the day at the Grand Palace to pay respects. The princess's body was transferred to the palace in a teak coffin. Funeral details were not immediately announced.