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Gary Cheung

Elizabeth Cheung

Hong Kong executive councillor Bernard Chan, who is a member of the Thai-Chinese family that founded Bangkok Bank, is saddened by the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej but is confident the country will remain stable under the current government.
Chan made his comments as Thais in Hong Kong join their countrymen at home in mourning the loss of their beloved monarch.
Watch: Thais mourn King Bhumibol


Thailand’s revered king died at age 88 on Thursday afternoon.
A nation’s tears: Thai king was ‘like our father’
Chan, who is also chairman of the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council and a close friend of Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, said he was saddened by the death .
“The King had high standing in Thailand and was widely revered by Thai people, whose love and respect for him is beyond imagination,” Chan told the Post.

“Although he did not have any real power, he had been a unifying and stabilising force in the country in the past three decades. Rival camps often heeded his calls to sit down for talks to reconcile their differences.”
Chan, said he expected some short-term impact on Thailand’s stock market in the wake of the king’s death.
But he said he was confident the situation would remain stable under the current government led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Rival camps often heeded his calls to sit down for talks to reconcile their differences
Bernard Chan, executive councillor and member of the Thai-Chinese family behind Bangkok Bank
Chan is grandson of Chin Sophonpanich, the late founder of Bangkok Bank. Chan’s father Robin Chan, one of the six sons of Chin Sophonpanich, was sent to Hong Kong in the 1960s to diversify the family’s business.
The family is still actively involved in politics and business in Thailand. His aunt, Kalaya, was the science and technology minister in former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s cabinet.
Meanwhile, Thais in Hong Kong are also feeling the loss.
“The king is like our father. I just can’t believe the news, as we wished he would live for a hundred years,” Vivian Jan, a Thai who has been living in Hong Kong for 26 years, said.
Jan, who has been running a restaurant in Kowloon City for 16 years, said the king has been a kind and generous monarch.
“He always helped those living in remote parts of the country,” she said. “I felt really unwell when I heard the news. I don’t think anyone would not cry.”
“If he asked us not to fight, we would not fight,” she added.
The television in her shop, connected to a Thai channel, was showing special programmes about the deceased king since 8pm on Thursday night.
Jan said they would pay tribute to the king by making offerings such as incense and fruits to him.
Saner Bootdee, a 66-year-old Thai man who runs a small fruit stall in Kowloon City, also said he was saddened by the news.
“I feel sad. It seems now my country has lost [its pillar],” Bootdee, who has lived in the city for five years, said.
“I love the king ... he had the ability [to lead] and he loved the people too.”


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King Bhubimol Adulyadej

‘If he asked us not to fight, we would not fight’: Thais in Hong Kong mourn death of beloved monarch

Jantharuechai Sommai, owner of Thai-E-San Ram Mis, a Thai restaurant in Kowloon City, watches news of the king’s death on TV. Photo: Bruce Yan

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej takes a picture of his well wishers from his chest at Siriraj hospital in Bangkok, 20 July 2006. The Thai King checked into hospital to undergo surgery on his spine, as hundreds of people prayed outside the building for his speedy recovery. The king, who last month celebrated his 60th year on the throne, fractured a rib when he fell while walking around the palace grounds on June 24. AFP PHOTO/ Saeed KHAN / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

A nation’s tears: Thai king was ‘like our father’

Thai women holding pictures of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej cry and mourn as they hear the news of His Majesty's death outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: EPA

People react as they wait for news on the health of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital, before the announcement of his death in Bangkok on October 13, 2016. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died after a long illness, the palace announced on October 13, ending a remarkable seven-decade reign and leaving a divided people bereft of a towering and rare figure of unity. / AFP PHOTO / LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha makes a statement following the death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in Bangkok, in this still image taken from video October 13, 2016. Reuters TV/Thai Pool TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

(161013) -- BANGKOK, Oct. 13, 2016 (Xinhua) -- People mourn for the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on Oct. 13, 2016. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died at the age of 88, the Bureau of Royal Household said on Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Mangmang) (lr)

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People with a Thai background from all walks of life, including executive councillor Bernard Chan, express their grief


‘If he asked us not to fight, we would not fight’: Thais in Hong Kong mourn death of beloved monarch

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}People with a Thai background from all walks of life, including executive councillor Bernard Chan, express their grief

People with a Thai background from all walks of life, including executive councillor Bernard Chan, express their grief