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56   Siam - Rising Sun Under King Prajadhipok



                The first visit, November 22 – December 5, 1924 A.D.


                        His Royal Highness Prince Prajadhipok Sakdidet Kromkhun

                Sukhothai Thammaracha (His Majesty King Prajadhipok’s title at the time)
                with his wife Princess Rambai Barni (Her Majesty Queen Rambai Barni’s

                title at the time) made a personal visit to Japan after graduating from
                the advance military school in France.

                        On November 22, the royal barge arrived at Yokohama

                Port, and Thai soldiers, students, officials of Royal Court Ministry
                of Japan, and Baron Okura (Mr. Kishichiro Okura)  were present at the
                                                               4
                arrival. His Royal Highness and the princess, then, went on the city tour

                by car before leaving by railway to Tokyo to stay at Imperial Hotel in
                Tokyo. In the evening, they went to the Imperial Palace to sign the formal

                greeting to Emperor Yoshihito (Emperor Taisho), Empress Temei, and
                Prince Hirohito (Crown Prince of Japan).

                        On November 23, at 11 am, the representative on behalf of

                Emperor officially welcomed Their Royal Highnesses at the hotel. They
                visited Meiji Shrine in the afternoon and had dinner at Embassy of Siam
                in Tokyo.

                        On November 24, Their Royal Highnesses visited the army

                memorial at Yasukuni Shrine and planted a banyan tree  in commemoration
                                                                  5
                of his visit. At Chancellor’s residence, His Royal Highness was offered

                an ancient Japanese sword at lunch. In the evening, Baron Okura offered
                                                6
                a dinner reception at Maple Club  to His Majesty and his wife.
                4   Baron Okura or Mr. Okura Kishichiro, an influential investor holding an important role
                in society and economy of Japan at the time (The Okura family was one of the founders
                of the Okura Hotel Group and founder of Tokyo Keisai University or Tokyo University
                of Economics)
                5   Banyan Tree is sacred in Shinto religion
                6   Maple Club was fully integrated with traditional Japanese food, performances,






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