Page 36 - _21-0619 OK

The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XII, 2020

Paris, Prince A-monthat, who took responsibility for seven Siamese legations
in Europe.
14
At the beginning, King Prajatibok wanted to make official state visits
to European nations and the US, in order to strengthen the relations between
15
Siam and western countries.

However, the voyage turned into a “semi-official” one, and the King and
Queen partly even traveled “incognito” under the names “Prince of Sukhodaya
and Princess of Sukhodaya“. This was probably due to an incident with King
George V. The semi-official parts were restricted to the visits to heads of state.

Documents of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the National Archive
in Bangkok reveal how complex the preparations by the Ministry were. The most
interesting ones are those for the visit to England, beginning with the delaying
tactics of British officials as far as arranging a specific date for the reception of
the King of Siam. The excuse was that there would still be enough time. Actually,

the British envoy in Bangkok knew about the potential delay of King Prajatibok's
trip by the Siamese government and therefore did not keep his word to prepare
the itinerary for the visit to England before the departure of the Siamese King
on 12 January 1934. The Siamese envoy in London, Phraya Subarn Sombati
16
was reminded to finish this crucial task by the foreign minister, Phraya Abibal
Ratchmaitri. In other countries, preparations had already been made by the
17
Siamese envoy in Paris, who was responsible for seven European countries.
18

14 Those are France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland.
15 See: Politisches Archiv des Auswärtigen Amtes, Berlin, J. Nr. 595/33 R. 86066, letter from 3 May
1933, with reference to the letter from 27 April 1933 J. Nr. 595/33 from the German Delegation
in Bangkok to the Foreign Ministry in Berlin.
The Siamese envoy in London, Phraya Subarn Sombati (พัระยาสุุพัรรณสุมบูัติิ), was responsible for
16
the preparation of the visit of King Prajatibok in Britain. He was reminded of this important task,
and finally given a written warning by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Phraya Abibal Ratchmaitri,
telegrams from 3 and 23 January 1934).
Phraya Subarn Sombati (พัระยาสุุพัรรณสุมบูัติิ-ติ้น้ บูุน้น้าค), Siamese Envoy in London is the elder brother
17
of the Siamese Foreign Minister, Phraya Apibal Ratchmaitri (ติ่อม บูุน้น้าค).
Archive of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok, letter No. 81/2298 from the royal
18
secretary of King Prajatibok to Phraya Apibal Ratchmaitri, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2 January
1934, signed by Phraya Barihannithitham by the order of the royal secretary.

28 A Modern Siam with Constitutional Monarchy - King Prajatibok, The Siamese
“Honourary Diplomat” in Europe 1934

5/1/2565 BE 09:03
_21-0619(019-054)3.indd 28 5/1/2565 BE 09:03
_21-0619(019-054)3.indd 28