More than 750 people, mostly Thai expats and their families, gathered at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo to pay their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
TOKYO - One day before what would have been the revered King's 89th Birthday, more than 750 people, mostly Thai expats and their families gathered at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo to pay their respects to honour the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Special marquees were set up in the ground to provide shelter for guests to sign the books of condolences
HM known as King Rama IX passed away on the 13 Oct 2016 in Bangkok. Thailand is in a state of mourning following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The monarch, who reigned over Thailand for 70 years, was widely revered by his subjects and there is now an official period of mourning of one year. However all tourist and entertainment venues remain open.
A special service of remembrance was performed. Ten Thai monks from the five temples in Tokyo presided over the Buddhist ceremony with HE Bansarn Bunnag, the Thai Ambassador in Tokyo, in attendance
The author (right) with HE and Mrs Bansarn Bunnag Thailand's Ambassador in Tokyo and Pichai Visutriratana (left)
Feeding the attendees thirteen Thai restaurants which operate their businesses in Tokyo donated all the Thai food and drinks.
Local Thai businesses donate food and drinks
Feeding the masses
Andrew J Wood
Andrew was born in Yorkshire England, he is a professional hotelier, Skalleague, travel writer and director of WDA Co. Ltd and its subsidiary, Thailand by Design (tours/travel/MICE). Andrew has over 35 years of hospitality and travel experience. He is a hotel graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh. Andrew is a former board member and Director of Skal International (SI), National President SI THAILAND, President of SI BANGKOK and is currently Director of Public Relations, Skal International Bangkok. He is a regular guest lecturer at various Universities in Thailand including Assumption University's Hospitality School and most recently the Japan Hotel School in Tokyo.
![[From left to right] Mr Pablo Bravo, Advisor of Olayan Group in Spain; Mr José Luis Martínez Almeida, Mayor of Madrid; Mr James Riley, CEO of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; Ms Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid; Mr Miguel Ángel Sanz Castedo, General Director of The Spanish Tourism Board (Turespaña); Greg Liddell, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.](/sites/default/files/styles/view_medium_300x200/public/2021-04/mandarin_oriental_ritz_madrid_-_ribbon_cutting_resize.jpg?itok=s7Av9nGE)
