Japanese Emperor Akihito has arrived in Bangkok to pay his respects to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The visit follows a weeklong trip to Vietnam aimed at winning support against Chinese expansionism.<br/><br/>The monarchies, two of a handful remaining in Asia, have maintained close ties. Bhumibol first visited Japan in 1963, touching off a decades-long friendship with numerous visits back and forth, most recently a visit by Akihito to Thailand in 2006. <br/><br/>Akihito, accompanied by his wife, Empress Michiko was scheduled lay wreathes and sign a condolence book at the Grand Palace in Bangkok and to meet Thai King who ascended the throne after the death of his widely revered father in October.