Chiang Mai legend Major Roy Hudson Passes Months Shy of 100 Years

We are sad to report the passing of Chiang Mai legend, Major Roy Hudson, a founding father of our modern Chiang Mai community.

By | Thu 21 Mar 2019

Major Roy Hudson had been a Chiang Mai resident for nearly sixty years. Read Citylife’s 2012 interview with this legendary man who leaves behind his son Eric, daughter Amanda and two grandchildren Ben and Emily. Below is a brief note by Louis Gabaud of the Informal Northern Thai Group.

With the passing of Major Roy Hudson on March 19, 2019, we have lost a founding father of our modern Chiang Mai community. For, after having settled here, Major Hudson brought together residents, researchers and academics to give talks about their work in Northern Thailand. Modeled upon the Siam Society, The Northern Thai Society was the first to share knowledge on the history, culture and natural environment in which we live. It was, thanks to him, that the Informal Northern Thai Group was created as its successor in 1984. Since that time, anthropologists, sociologists and naturalists with an interest in the region have been able to exchange information and ideas with those living here and pass them on globally.

We, the members of the Informal Northern Thai Group (INTG) wish to express our sincere condolences and deep gratitude to the Hudson family. Roy Hudson was a remarkable man who inspired so many. It was always an honor when he joined us for a talk and discussion. We shall miss him.

Funeral services will take place at Wat Suan Dok. Evening prayers will be held on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 PM. The cremation will take place on Friday, March 22, 2019. Prayers begin at 10 AM. The procession to the cremation ground begins at 12:20 PM. Prayers for the cremation at 1:30 PM.