Tributes to a popular Tenby chef have been placed outside an inn and restaurant in memory after he sadly passed away this month due to coronavirus.

Forty-nine-year-old Aod Phetluk who was head chef at the Coach and Horses Inn on Upper Frog Street passed away from the virus on April 3.

Floral and written tributes have been left outside the popular establishment in memory of Aod - a much loved character who specialised in authentic Thai cuisine.

Family, friends and work colleagues have also paid tribute by lighting a candle for Aod - stating that he was always ‘smiling, laughing and loving life’.

Aod’s funeral took place last Thursday at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and as only a limited numbers of mourners are being allowed to attend services due to current Government regulations, it was arranged for the hearse to travel by Tenby’s High Street and up the cobbled streets of Upper Frog Street past his workplace to allow people to stand and pay their respects, whilst making sure that social distancing measures are maintained.OBITUARY - SITTHIPHONG 'AOD' PHETLUKIt is with much sadness that we share the news of the death of Sitthiphong Phetluk (who was lovingly known to everyone as Aod) which occurred on Friday, April 3.Aod was born on August 1, 1970, in Phuket.A man with a passion for cooking, he pursued a career in Hospitality and Catering, which saw him rise to positions overseeing kitchens in five-star resorts in Phuket, the Maldives and Singapore .Eighteen years ago, Aod made the huge decision to seek a career in the UK and after much pursuance, was granted a work visa to start his career in Pembrokeshire.Aod settled into Welsh life well and took great pride in introducing speciality Asian /western fusion food to the people of Pembrokeshire, whilst mastering our own Welsh and British cuisine.Over the years, Aod had become well known, respected and loved by many within the community. In 2019, Aod achieved a significant goal when he was awarded British citizenship, and obtained a British passport.In recent years, Aod had become more and more embroiled in the spiritual side of life, going through a metamorphosis that was taking him closer towards becoming a Buddhist monk, whilst also regularly attending our Christian churches locally. There is no doubt that in a couple of years he would have retired into the Buddhist monastic order.Aod leaves behind his daughter, three sisters and a brother, along with nieces and nephews in Phuket.He also leaves behind his Welsh family in Pembrokeshire, a mixture of people who have known and loved him for the last 17 years. He will be desperately missed.