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Adelaide man asked to play bagpipes on elephant in Thailand after death of king

An Adelaide man has been summoned for royal duty in Thailand.

The high school history teacher is flying to Bangkok on Sunday to lead a memorial for the late Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej.

John Simpson will play bagpipes on top of an elephant, a challenge he is more than willing to accept.

A few years ago while travelling Thailand, he befriended an operator of an elephant sanctuary.

John Simpson will lead a parade of elephants playing bagpipes to honour Thailand's fallen king. Photo: 7 News.
John Simpson will lead a parade of elephants playing bagpipes to honour Thailand's fallen king. Photo: 7 News.

The pair bonded over their love of bagpipes and celebrated New Years Eve together.

On New Years Day he rode of the elephants playing his pipes.

When Thailand’s king passed away in October, the elephant sanctuary was asked to organise a memorial at Bangkok’s grand palace.

Mr Simpson was asked to fly over and play in front of the parade.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on October 13, 2016.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on October 13, 2016.

“It’s quite unusual, they want me fully kilted up playing bagpipes,” he said.

When he lands in Thailand he will rehearse with ten bull elephants to let them get used to the sound of his bagpipes.

The memorial will be held on Tuesday.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on October 13 after a long battle with illness.

The death sparked a year-long period of mourning.

Mr Simpson was honoured to travel to Thailand for the memorial. Photo: 7 News.
Mr Simpson was honoured to travel to Thailand for the memorial. Photo: 7 News.