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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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