Modi stops in Bangkok to pay respect to late king

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his way to Japan, arrived in the Thai capital on Thursday for a brief stopover to pay homage to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-ruling monarch, who died last month.

Modi laid a wreath and paid his respects to the mortal remains of the late king, whose body has been kept at the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok. The king's cremation is likely to take place next year, amid reports that it may happen beyond the official one-year period of mourning.

Modi also inscribed "a message of condolence at the Grand Palace in Bangkok" while "paying tributes to one of Asia's tallest leaders", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

After the Bangkok stopover, Modi is scheduled to land in Tokyo for a three-day Japan visit during which the two countries are expected hold talks on boosting ties in areas like trade, investment and security.

--IANS

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