Queen Visits Japan to Attend Women's Asian Ice Hockey Championship
The Queen of Thailand arrived in Japan on 14 October 2025 to attend the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia Championship in Sapporo. She was welcomed by Thai and Japanese officials upon landing at New Chitose Airport before proceeding to her hotel. During her stay, she will observe the competition and present medals and trophies to the athletes.
On Wednesday, 14 October 2025, Her Majesty the Queen departed by royal car from the Phra Aphon Sathorn Throne Hall at Dusit Palace to Don Mueang Military Airport in Bangkok, where she boarded the royal aircraft for a state visit to Japan from 14 to 22 October 2025. Her purpose was to observe and present medals and trophies to athletes competing in the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia Championship in Sapporo, Japan, following an invitation from the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation. At 10:05 a.m. local time, Her Majesty’s royal aircraft landed at New Chitose Airport in Chitose City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. There, she granted an audience to Ambassador Vichchu Wetchachiwit of Thailand to Japan, who paid his respects; accompanying him were his wife Kanyarat Wetchachiwit, military assistants, and embassy officials. After disembarking, Her Majesty transferred by royal car to the InterContinental Sapporo Hotel in Sapporo, Hokkaido, where she would be staying. Upon arrival at the hotel, she was greeted by Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phanjanewarakul, President of the Sports Authority of Thailand Pradpob Sanamitr, Lady Pattama Lee-Sivasrisakul, a member of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Akimoto Katsuhiro, Mayor of Sapporo, Mr. Emori Shuji, Vice President of the Japan Ice Hockey Federation, embassy staff, and hotel management and personnel.
