In December 1964, the year following the king’s visit, the Emperor — who was Crown Prince at the time — made his first visit to Thailand with the Empress, then Crown Princess, as Emperor Showa’s proxy. In 1991, the Emperor chose Thailand for his first foreign visit after enthronement. It was welcomed as a “royal visit,” which is a higher rank than a state visit, and the king gave him the Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn, which is the highest royal order of Thailand. In 2006, when the country marked the 60th anniversary of the king’s enthronement, the Emperor visited to attend the celebration ceremony. To watch a parade, a special seat between the king and queen was given to the Emperor.
Among other Imperial family members, Prince Akishino has frequently visited the country. With the cooperation of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the king’s second daughter, he has done research into the process of domesticating chickens.
A senior official at the Imperial Household Agency said: “The Imperial family has very close ties with the long-established royal family of Thailand. In accordance with the Emperor’s intention, his condolences will be expressed. Who will attend the king’s funeral will also be considered.”