Russian couple join the Thais in appreciation of the life of His Majesty

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Russian couple join the Thais in appreciation of the life of His Majesty

 

Picture: Sanook

 

BANGKOK: -- A Russian tourist couple in their early 30s spoke to reporters about their feelings on the passing of His Majesty describing the warmth of feeling of the Thai people as one big happy family.

 

Artam Lapin and his girlfriend Anastasia Chiklinseva were interviewed on the grass at Sanam Luang parade grounds in front of the Grand Palace, reported Sanook. 

 

They said they intended to carry out a vigil to be there all night in honor of the king.

 

Their story and reflections was shared across social media.

 

The pair told reporters they, like the departed king, are artists themselves and had a very close affinity with both His Majesty and the Thai people.

 

This had come about six years ago when the couple had first visited Thailand. 

 

They arrived on December 4th that year and the first thing they experienced was the incredible show of devotion and feeling in Sanam Luang on the ccasion of His Majesty's birthday the next day.

 

Artam said: "That evening there was music here at Sanam Luang and everyone lit candles. It was so beautiful - how sad that all that is in the past now for us and the Thai people.

 

"This time around it is so different," said the Russian man who was dressed in respectful black. "But what hasn't changed is our affinity with the Thai people. 

 

Whether it was the happiness of past days or the sadness of this occasion we are at one with the Thai people.

 

"I know it may seem strange to hear a foreign tourist say this but I grew up with many Asian people and have felt a closeness to the people of the continent and its culture since childhood", he said.

 

He said him and his girlfriend had always followed the news about the king and he himself as a musician had really been interested in the talent of the king as a jazz musician even though he was into electronic music himself.

 

Artam said that he looked at old clips on YouTube of His Majesty playing saxophone describing his talent as "amazing" and "wonderful".

 

He said they had heard the news of the king's passing while they were in Lumpini Park and decided to come to Sanam Luang where they had spent two days.

 

The couple described the warmth with which they were treated by the people in the area saying they felt part of a family - feelings they would treasure and take with them into their future lives.

 

The sanook.com interview was shared almost 50,000 times across social media.

 

Source: Sanook

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-10-17