Mako’s marriage attracts much interest in Thailand, where she is compared to the royal family.

In Thailand, where the royal family has a close relationship with Japan’s Imperial Family, there is also a great deal of interest in Mako’s marriage.

There have been demonstrations in Thailand since last year calling for reform of the royal family, and there is a movement among the younger generation to compare the Thai royal family with the Japanese imperial family.

Thailand’s mainstream media reported in September that Princess Mako was to marry, but would not accept 40 million baht, and that she would not have a wedding and would live in the US. In September, the major Thai media all reported on the prospect of Princess Mako’s marriage, citing Japanese reports.

Some media reported in detail on Japan’s imperial family system, in which female members of the Imperial Family leave the Imperial Register after marriage, and on the reaction of Japanese people to the financial troubles of the Komuro family.

　On social networking services (SNS), there were posts such as “Japan’s imperial family pays respect to the people” compared to the Thai royal family. In recent years, the people of Thailand have taken a hard look at the privileged treatment of the royal family, and some have posted sarcastic remarks such as, “I’m sure someone (the Thai royal family) would have a lavish wedding if they were in Thailand.

　　Princess Akishino and her family have visited Thailand many times, and she and her husband attended the funeral of former King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October 2005.