Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has arrived in China for the first-ever state visit by a reigning Thai monarch, marking the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic ties.
Invited by President Xi Jinping, the king and Queen Suthida will tour significant cultural and scientific sites in Beijing, including Lingguang Temple and Beijing Aerospace City, and will be honoured at a state banquet.
The Thai government says the visit reinforces the long-standing friendship between the nations, and it represents the king’s first major overseas trip since ascending the throne nine years ago. By contrast, the king’s father, King Bhumibol, made fewer high-profile overseas visits, with the most notable being to the US during the Cold War era.
The visit comes as Thailand’s relationship with China has strengthened while its ties with the United States have cooled due to disagreements over human rights, trade tensions, and perceptions of declining US commitment to the region.
China is now Thailand’s largest trading partner and a major supplier of military equipment, with deep historical connections reinforced by cultural ties among Thai citizens of Chinese descent.
Recent Thai decisions—including the deportation of Uyghur asylum-seekers, the censorship of politically sensitive art exhibitions, and crackdowns on Myanmar-border scam compounds—highlight the growing influence of Beijing. Although this is the king’s first official visit, the monarchy has long supported Thai-Chinese relations, particularly through Princess Sirindhorn, who has studied Chinese culture for decades and maintained close ties with China.
During his meeting with Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, President Xi Jinping noted that China will continue working with Thailand to carry forward the two countries’ special bond of being one family,… pic.twitter.com/EVn8gwkuJk
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) November 20, 2022
