สำนักงานราชบัณทิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 23  In 1959, I accompanied the King to some foreign countries for the fi rst time. We travelled to the Republic of Vietnam for a State Visit for a few days. Then the King visited Indonesia and Burma, and I had a chance to go with him. During that time, I heard that the government had contacted the governments of fourteen European countries, as well as America, in preparation for state visits by the King. Theses trips were very important and were to take many months to complete. […] ” 12 (emphasized by the author) The account by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit confirms the hidden political agenda of both state visits in 1960 and 1962. The state visits were indeed of great political importance and the Thai government consequently took care of Their Majesties trip in every aspect. The long journey which took seven months, led the government to arrange for the royal family to stay in one location, in Switzerland. The house arranged was called Flonzaley, located in the mountains between Lausanne and Montreux, on the Swiss-French side in the Puidoux-Chexbres district. Their Majesties could see their children and stay with them for a short periods after returning from each of the visits. Her Majesty also relates that the house would provide their parents from some relief from their travels. 4.1 ‘The Queen is not a fairy tale queen’ Leader of Traditional Thai Costume and Fashion As the State Visits made to America and Europe in the summer 1960, were the fi rst major occasions for Her Majesty to accompany the King to 15 countries, from summer to autumn, through to winter with its snow, a vast number of preparations were essential, especially the preparation of clothing. 12 In Memory of the State Visits of His Majesty the King, The Royal Compositions of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit , footnote 9, p. 78-80. Pornsan Watanangura