Thailand's sporting circles suffered a great loss this year when King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a majestic athlete and patron of sports, passed away on Oct 13.
His Majesty the King during the Bike for Dad event last year. Pawat Laopaisarntaksin
Fortunately for Thai athletes and officials, his son and successor, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, also has a keen interest in sports.
King Bhumibol, or King Rama IX, loved sports and was one of Thailand's finest sailors of all-time.
He was also patron of several sporting events and associations particularly badminton and football.
When he was young, he played several sports including sailing, badminton and tennis.
King Bhumibol became the first Thai monarch to compete in an international sporting event when he took part in sailing at the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games (now the SEA Games) held in Thailand in 1967.
Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was a great sailor.
The King and his daughter Princess Ubolratana were joint winners in the OK dinghy class of the sailing tournament which was held in Pattaya.
The King's achievement was more remarkable because he built his own boat.
He claimed the title on Dec 16 which has since been marked as Thailand's National Sports Day.
The King once said: "Sports are important in the development of the country and people."
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded him the Insignia of the Olympic Order in 1987 and presented him with the Lalounis Cup in 2001 for his leading role in supporting and promoting sports.
In 2012, the King received the President's Medal from the Badminton World Federation for his contributions to the sport.
National footballers form the Thai numeral nine to pay tribute to King Rama IX.
The King inspired and encouraged a large number of Thai athletes to victories.
It became a tradition that Thai athletes would lift a portrait of the King after their success and these included Olympic boxing champions Somluck Kamsing (1996), Manus Boonjumnong (2004) and Somjit Jongjohor (2008).
After his passing, several athletes have paid their respects or dedicated their victories to him including badminton player Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and the national football team who won the Suzuki Cup title.
Tanongsak turned 26 on the day the King passed away and he amazingly came from nowhere to claim the biggest win of his career with his triumph at the Denmark Open a few weeks later.
With the victory, he became the Kingdom's first male shuttler to win a Superseries event.
Manus Boonjumnong holds up a portrait of King Bhumibol as he and fellow boxers pay their respects to the late monarch at Sanam Luang.
"I have been playing internationally for 11 years and I am so happy today… so happy that I can give this gift to my King," Tanongsak said, holding a photo of King Bhumibol during the award ceremony.
Meanwhile, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has followed in the footsteps of his father.
His Majesty played football among other sports when he was young and was dubbed the 'Football Prince'.
He is patron of the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand and winner of the Sports Authority of Thailand's Muay Thai fighter of the year receives his trophy.
His Majesty, as a representative of his father or on his own part, presided over the opening ceremonies of several international sporting events held in Thailand.
However, he is now renowned for his love for cycling.
He initiated the hugely popular Bike for Mom and Bike for Dad events last year in honour of his parents.
The events attracted a large number of participants in every province across Thailand.
His Majesty not only wanted the events to be part of the celebrations of his parents' birthdays but also hoped to encourage Thais to exercise for good health.
His Majesty has been a major supporter of Thai cycling for a long time.
"We have enjoyed success thanks to enormous support from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn," said Gen Decha Hemkrasri, president of the Cycling Association of Thailand.
"Thanks to His Majesty's support, the sport is now popular throughout the country and the association has more athletes."
Gen Yutthasak Sasiprabha, president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, said His Majesty sees sporting spirit and promoting the country more important than winning.
"Talking about sports, everybody wants to win. But it is normal that there are wins and losses in sports competitions. Winning should not be all about winning a competition. You should also win the hearts of your opponents and spectators," His Majesty once told the Thai delegation ahead of an international tournament.
"[As Thai athletes competing in international events] you have two roles -- one as athletes and the other as Thai citizens. Apart from trying to get the best results, you should try to be true athletes and preserve Thainess. Doing so will help you earn praise from other athletes and participating countries."