Modi stops in Bangkok

Bangkok, Nov 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his way to Japan, arrived in the Thai capital on Thursday for a brief stopover to pay homage to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world s longest-ruling monarch, who died last month.Modi laid a wreath and paid his respects to the mortal remains of the late king, whose body has been kept at the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok. The king s cremation is likely to take place next year, amid reports that it may happen beyond the official one-year period of mourning.Modi also inscribed "a message of condolence at the Grand Palace in Bangkok" while "paying tributes to one of Asia s tallest leaders", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.After the Bangkok stopover, Modi is scheduled to land in Tokyo for a three-day Japan visit during which the two countries are expected hold talks on boosting ties in areas like trade, investment and security.