On October 13, 2016 I went to Bali, together with the Assistant for Internationalization and the Chaplain of the university, to participate in the annual conference and General Assembly of the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (ACUCA).  When we arrived and were able to access news we learned of the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  This saddened us greatly.  The next morning, as part of the opening ceremony, the participants expressed their condolences and sympathy for those of us from Thailand, by standing in silence to commemorate His Majesty.  Our six delegates from Thailand greatly appreciated our colleagues sharing our grief.

 During the ACUCA biennial General Assembly there was a transfer of leadership from Indonesia to Thailand.  I was installed as President and the Rev. Dr. Esther Wakeman was confirmed as General Secretary for a two-year term from October 15, 2016 to October 14, 2018 (or as of the General Assembly that year).  The ACUCA office will be at Payap University.  I have appointed Ajan Malee Kongwannit to accept the additional title of head of the ACUCA office.  There will be an appointment of a taskforce to handle affairs with member institutions in other Asian countries.  This is a great honor for us in Payap and Thailand.

 When I returned from Indonesia I attended the biennial General Assembly of the Church of Christ in Thailand in Bangkok.  I was able to share in grief and mourning with Thai brothers and sisters.  It is clear that we Thai people love and honor the King above all.  I was away from the university from October 13 to 20, which was an important time in which our university needed to operate and make important decisions on many urgent matters.  I shared a role in making decisions and planning on a number of matters as opportunity presented itself. I want to thank all our staff who helped me and undertook things as needed under the emerging circumstances, not simply laying blame for all the matters but did not help with anything. I am impressed with the staff who held the memorial service, decorated the campus, distributed ribbons, provided service to dye cloth black, kept track of the latest news and passed the news on, as well as many other undertakings that demonstrated sincere devotion.  May the Lord God bless all of you for the good that you thought and did.