"We’re all really sad. Everyone is still trying to process things."
Ms Chaimala (22) moved to Dunedin from her native Thailand seven years ago to further her studies.
She said she worried for her country’s future.
"No-one’s sure what is going to happen now; there’s such an unstable political situation."
"My brother was on the subway in Thailand when the news broke. Everyone looked down and started crying."
While still in the grieving process, Ms Chaimala said the city’s Thai community would commemorate the late king in the coming days.
During a reign that lasted more than 70 years, King Bhumibol visited Dunedin with his wife, Sirikit Kitiyakara, in August 1962.
They were greeted by a crowd of more than 1000 on a Saturday at Dunedin Airport.
Among the royal couple’s roster of activities was attending a game of rugby.
Mosgiel man Huia Ockwell (81) recalled his day at Carisbrook all those years ago.
"The memory is vivid. There was a sea of sports coats and tobacco smoke rising from the air; that’s the way it was back in those days."
The king and queen had a "royal box" to watch the game, decked with flowers and ferns.
Mr Ockwell said that did little to stop the crowd’s gaze, particularly when
it came to her royal majesty Queen Sirikit.
"They were very poised, a real regal couple."
"She was most elegant. I don’t think half the men there were totally watching the rugby that day."
- Luke Tumara
