Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are talking about well the unfortunate passing of Her Majesty, The Late Queen Mother here in Thailand. I have got to be honest with you, this is a little bit overwhelming to talk about this stuff sometimes even though I do understand people might say, "Hey, you're making this video a little later." Yeah, we were off actually over this past Thai holiday. I decided not to call in anybody over the weekend in light of the passing of Her Late Majesty and so we are just able to make this video right about the time we are putting it up right now. So my deep condolences to the Royal Family here in Thailand. I know that as a naturalized Thai this certainly shook me when I heard that she had passed. It definitely is a major event here in Thailand and in many ways it kind of marks the final closing of a chapter in Thai history in certain ways. 

That said, I have noticed, and I have talked with various members in the foreign community. They seem a little bit confused as to whether or not they should be adhering to any mourning policies regarding; look we are at the end of the day going into high season right now. I think foreigners are very cooperative, especially the foreign business community in things like the tourism sector to wanting to comport with Thai traditions as far as the mourning period goes and there have been questions about curtailing any activities. I thought after reading this recent article from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, some of the information in here might be useful data points for the foreign community in this unfortunate set of circumstances. The article is titled, again Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: No entertainment event ban, Anutin says. Quoting directly: "Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the government has imposed no ban on private celebrations or entertainment events following the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, despite media reports. He said while festivities are not prohibited, organisers are encouraged to exercise discretion and adjust the tone of their events to reflect the national atmosphere of mourning, he said."

Yeah, I think that's very well put. Look, at the end of the day, the economy still goes on. We are going into high season here. There are tourists coming in; they're not as aware of Thai customs; they are not as aware of the history over here in Thailand. And again business also has to get done and on we have to go. But that said I think it's important for the foreign community as well as any foreigners watching this video to understand, it's sort of the national mood if you will right now is one of contemplative circumspection right now in light of the passing of her late Majesty. 

Quoting further: "Mr. Anutin yesterday addressed public concerns regarding the Cabinet's resolution which called for cooperation from the entertainment sector to scale back or modify celebratory activities appropriately." Again, common sense, the rule of reason prevails. If you are a foreigner over here, this is not probably the best time in fact not even probably, it is not a good time to be engaging in really bombastic, flamboyant kind of revelry, okay. We are in a mourning period here. Quoting further: "Some media outlets claim private individuals and entities had also been affected. Quote: "There is no ban on concerts or festive gatherings," Mr. Anutin told the press at Government House. Quote: "The Prime Minister's Secretary General [Traisuree Taisaranakul] has clarified the matter," he said. Alcohol sales and venue operating hours remain unchanged, but he urged business owners to avoid excessive revelry." Again, rule of reason applies. Quoting further: "Earlier, Ms. Traisuree dismissed reports claiming the Cabinet has ordered private businesses to suspend entertainment activities for 30 days. "The Prime Minister's intention is for Thais to express their grief and unity sincerely, not restrict anyone's economic or social freedoms," she said." Yeah, and again well put. 

I think it's important to put that out there. No Thailand, Thai policy is not to be overly restrictive, but again specially to foreign tourists coming into the country at this time, it's going to have a bit of a subdued atmosphere compared to maybe what you are used to especially during Thai holiday high season if you will, because again we have had something of a national tragedy here at the moment with the loss of Her Late Majesty The Queen Mother. That said, quoting further: "A special Cabinet meeting, chaired by Mr. Anutin, also discussed mourning protocols for state agencies." Yeah and we are going to see a lot of ceremonies going through, it's my understanding, about the next hundred days at this point. 

So again, if you are somebody who's just coming to Thailand for the first time, if you are a tourist over here, if you are a business owner and you're interested in knowing what are the parameters and protocols, there are no hard and fast rules it seems being put down at this time. But again rule of reason applies; understand what the nation is going through. This is a mourning period, act accordingly.