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The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 13  Siam was under threat from agressive colonial politics of the European powers and there were also wars with neighbouring countries. Clashes with European powers intent on extending their in fl uence in the region led to the loss of the independence and sovereignty of a number of Siam’s neighbours. These events were all warning signs of the Western powers’ imperialist intentions in South and Southeast Asia. France and Britain, in particular, were no longer content to maintain trade and religious missions in the countries of the region as in earlier times. The armed clashes between France and Siam of 1893 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, was the fi nal spark that lit the fuse and prompted the King to embark on a new course of action aimed at preserving Siamese sovereignty. In the words of the King: “I must travel to Europe. It is essential that we establish a presence there.” 2 This turmoil prevailed not only over Asia. An overview of Europe-Asia relations at the End of the 19 th Century will shed some light on the decision of King Chulalongkorn going to Europe in 1897 at the time of world crisis. At the end of the 19 th century and continuing on until the end of the Second World War in 1945, Europe was at the very heart of the major changes affecting world events. Europe in 19 th century after the Industrial Revolution drove changes, the consequences of which are still felt today. Competition among major European powers was also rife as countries fought to hold on to their colonies and expand their economic and political sphere of in fl uence throughout Asia and Africa. This turmoil of the late 19 th century can be compared with the state of great anxiety, confusion and uncertainty politically during the 20 th century, the period of the reign of King Bhumibol (1950 - ). The European colonization before World War I in Siam, is in some way similar to the threat from the socialist-communist countries for many nations, including Thailand, which spread all over the world. After World War II, before the world tour and state visits of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand, in 1960 and 1962, Europe was in a state of restoration, economically, politically, even culturally. The United States of America replaced the 2 Letter from King Chulalongkorn to Prince Svasti Sophon, dated September 3, 1893, cited in: Jiraporn Sathapanawatana’s Siam in Crisis R.E.112, Bangkok: Teachers Training Department 1976, p. 194. Pornsan Watanangura