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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

Another royal visit occurred during the reign of King Prajatibok (Rama VII) in 1934 amidst
2
critical economic, social, political, and cultural crises preceding World War II. In 1934 - 1935, after
Siam transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, King Prajadhipok

and Queen Rambai Barni visited Europe to strengthen “old friendship” with European countries,
also prevailed new diplomatic ties to many new established European countries after World

War I. The King studied the new government system of the world at that time: fascism in Italy and
Germany and democracy in Britain, including attending parliamentary sessions, to see for himself

the most suitable system for Siam. The royal couple also observed technological advancements
in Germany, Czechoslovakia (now The Czech Republic and Slovak Republic), Italy, Denmark,

and France, as well as agriculture, folk music, and craftsmanship in Hungary. His Majesty aimed
to bring these insights back to Siam to enhance its development.
3

2 The name of His Majesty is written as it was by His Majesty himself at the French military Academy, Ecole de
el
Guerre”: Prince Prajatibok, Lieut Col (Siam). In: Research work, Research Project of the French-Thai-Studies,
Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand: French Primary Literature and the Regime of
King Rama VII., 31.
3 See Pornsan Watanangura, 2021. Behind the Scenes of King Prajadhipok’s European Visit 1934 (B.E. 2476-2477)
and Siamese Politics after the 1932 Revolution. In Silapawathanatham, June 2021, 66-97. and Pornsan
Watanangura, 2021. Die Europareise von König Prajatibok 1934 und die Politik Siams. (in German). The 1934
European Visit of King Prajadhipok (B.E. 2476-2477) and Siamese Politics (in Thai). In Pornsan Watanangura,
Felix Pülm (ed.), We and Others. There were 60 years between the Thai-Deutschen Gesellschaft in Thailand
(1960-2020) and the 160th anniversary of the Thai-Deutschen diplomat Beziehungen (1862-2022), 153-255.
and Pornsan Watanangura, 2022 / 2565, A Modern Siam with Constitutional Monarchy – King Prajatibok,
The Siamese “Honourary Diplomat” in Europe 1934. In: The International Journal of The Royal Society of
Thailand, INEQUALITY, Volume XII – 2020, 19-53. (English).

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