Academic Seminar of King Prajadhipok studies
200 Years of Thai-U.S. Friendship
1. Background The relationship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America began 200 years ago, in 1818 or B.E. 2561, when an American sea captain entered the port of Siam seeking to engage in trade. When the captain returned to America he carried a letter from Phaya Suriwong Montri (Dit Bunnag), Foreign Minister to His Majesty King Rama II, to President James Monroe. This letter recounts royal intention of King Rama II (King Phra Phutthaloetla Napahalai) to build trade relations with the United States, which was the beginning of the enduring friendship between Thailand and the United States. During the King Rama IV (King Mongkut) period, the King was interested in studying the outside world, including the U.S. and the Great Powers of Europe. Over many decades, the relationship with the U.S. grew with the signing of many treaties. King Rama VII (King Prajadhipok) and Queen Rambai Barni became the first reigning monarchs of Siam to visit the U.S. in 1931 (B.E. 2474), the visit marked a historic milestone in the Thai-U.S. friendship. Their Majesties were honored with a state dinner hosted by President Herbert Hoover and his wife at the White House, Washington D.C. George Washington University granted His Majesty an honorary doctorate in Laws, witnessed by and representatives of Harvard, Yale, and other universities. The King and Queen received a royal welcome from the mayor and people of New York City as the first reigning monarchs of Siam to visit the U.S, and Their Majesties visited the newly-completed Empire State Building, then the tallest building in the world. When Their Majesties visited White Plains, New York, the mayor presented the King and Queen with the city’s Golden Key. In addition, Their Majesties also met world famous baseball player Babe Ruth and famed American pilot Amelia Earhart while attending a New York Yankees baseball game. The New York Times and other newspapers around the country published stories about the royal visit and their interview with admiration, earning enduring recognition for Siam in America. In 1960 (B.E. 2503), King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit undertook another official visit to the U.S., again increasing the countries’ close friendship. To celebrate 200 years of Thai-U.S. relations, the Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand is holding the Great and Good Friends exhibition at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, located in the Grand Palace compound. This exhibition displays royal gifts from Thai monarchs to American presidents and gifts offered by American presidents to Thai monarchs over the past 200 years. The King Prajadhipok Museum of King Prajadhipok’s Institute is proud to have contributed items from its collection to this important celebration: 1) Welcome Speech by Harvard College, Cambridge, April 29, 1931; 2) The Cover of Time Magazine, April 20, 1931 Volume 17 Number 16, depicting King Prajadhipok at his coronation; and 3) A Documentary Film titled Siam Young King Visit America 2474 B.E. In recognition of this cooperation, the King Prajadhipok Museum of King Prajadhipok’s Institute and the Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand will present a seminar titled “200 Years of Thai – U.S. Friendship” on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at King Prajadhipok Museum to disseminate knowledge about the relationship between Thailand and the United States.
2. Objectives 2.1) To disseminate knowledge about King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambai Barni’s visit to the United States in 1931 (B.E. 2474) 2.2) To present the history of Thai – U.S. relations through the gifts exchanged between the two countries over 200 years. 2.3) To highlight milestones of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the United States, and the position of Thailand in the world.
3. Venue King Prajadhipok Museum, King Prajadhipok’s Institute
4. Process - Contact and coordinate with the speakers - Publicize the seminar and invite participants - Provide a seminar - Prepare tea/coffee break for 100 participants
5. Date and Time Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 1.00 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
6. Expected result 6.1) Participants acquire knowledge and understanding important of King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambai Barni’s royal history and the visit to the United States in 1931 (B.E. 2474) 6.2) Participants acquire knowledge and understanding about the Thai – U.S. relationship over the past 200 years. 6.3) Participants recognize and understand the milestones of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the United States and the position of Thailand in the world.
7. Responsible Department King Prajadhipok Museum, King Prajadhipok’s Institute Embassy of the United States of America, Bangkok Schedule Academic Seminar of King Prajadhipok Studies “200 Years of Thai - U.S. Friendship” at the King Prajadhipok Museum Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 1.00 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
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1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m. Registration
1.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m. Welcome address by Professor Woothisarn Tanchai, Secretary - General of King Prajadhipok’s Institute Special address by H.E. Mr. Glyn T. Davies, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand 2.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Seminar on “200 Years of Thai - U.S. Friendship” by Professor Tongthong Chandransu Dr. M.R. Benchapa Krairiksh William Bradford Smith, Co-Curator of Great and Good Friends Exhibition
Note: - The schedule is a subject to change.