Despite being located so far apart in different hemispheres of the world, Thailand and Denmark have always enjoyed close and cordial relations. This is in large part owing to the warm and friendly ties between the two royal families, as evidenced by several exchanges of visit over many decades. Following H.M. the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand’s state visit to Denmark in 1960, the Danish royal family paid visits to Thailand on several occasions.

H.M. King Frederik IX and H.M. Queen Ingrid of Denmark’s state visit to Thailand     

H.M. King Frederik IX and H.M. Queen Ingrid of Denmark paid a state visit to Thailand during 12 – 24 January 1962. Their Majesties were warmly received by H.M. King Rama IX and H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand upon their arrival at Bangkok's Don Muang airport, where the national anthems were performed as a tribute to both royal families. In welcoming the Danish monarchs, the roadway was adorned and a replica of “The Little Mermaid” was erected on Ratchadumneon Avenue.

During the visit in Thailand, H.M. King Frederik IX and H.M. Queen Ingrid of Denmark visited many Thai landmarks, such as the Victory Monument in Bangkok, where H.M. King Frederik IX laid a wreath, the Chaopraya River, where Their Majesties boarded the royal yacht "Chandara" for a scenic trip with Thailand's King and Queen and Phuping Palace in Chiang Mai, where Their Majesties experienced the local northern Thai community.

H.M. King Frederik IX and H.M. Queen Ingrid of Denmark also participated in significant events alongside the Thai monarchs and royals such as the inauguration of the Thai-Danish Dairy Farm in Saraburi Province and the opening ceremony of the first Siam Society Library in Bangkok.

H.R.H. Crown Princess Margrethe’s visit to Thailand

In November 1963, H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, as H.R.H. Crown Princess Margrethe at the time, visited Thailand as guest of Their Majesties H.M. King Rama IX and H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand. During her stay in Thailand, the Crown Princess of Denmark visited many historical sites such as the floating market and the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok. H.R.H. also paid visits to The East Asiatic Company, Maersk Company, Thai-Danish Dairy Farm and Training Centre in Saraburi Province and took a sightseeing tour to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark’s state visit to Thailand

During 7-12 February 2001, H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, H.R.H Prince Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark and H.R.H. Prince Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark paid a state visit to Thailand as guests of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand. They visited various development projects launched under Thai-Danish cooperation, presided over the opening of an exhibition on Thai-Danish relations at the National Museum, featuring the ties between the two kingdoms from the Ayutthaya Period, as well as travelled north to Chiang Mai to visit a Danish factory, an elephant conservation center, agricultural development projects at the Doi Inthanon Royal Project and the Mae Chaem Basin Development Project.

Other notable Danish Royal visits to Thailand

During 15-17 April 2005, H.R.H Prince Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark and H.R.H. Princess Mary paid a personal visit to Thailand to attend a memorial ceremony for Danish citizens who died in the tsunami disaster, which was held on 16 April 2005, in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province.

H.R.H. Prince Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark attended the 60th anniversary of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand's accession to the throne in June 2006.

H.R.H Prince Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark attended the Royal Cremation Ceremony of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand, which took place in Sanam Luang on 26 October 2017, where dignitaries from 42 countries participated.

These several visits of the royal family of Denmark in Thailand highlight the long-established tradition of warm and friendly relationships between the two monarchies, which provide a strong foundation for this four-century-old relations between the two Kingdoms.

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Story by: Chinnavat Samranjai

               Munchuta Suadmalai Olsen

Pictures 1 and 2: H.M. King Rama IX and H.M. Queen Sirikit of Thailand were present to greet the royal guests, H.M. King Frederik IX and H.M. Queen Ingrid of Denmark, upon their arrival at Bangkok's Don Muang airport on 12 January 1962.

Picture 3: The Thai and Danish monarchs travelled through Bangkok in an open limousine to the Grand Palace's Boromapiman Hall on 12 January 1962.

Picture 4: The little mermaid was erected on Ratchadumneon Avenue, where the limousine passed.

Picture 5: On 13 January 1962, H.M. King Frederik IX addressed the Kasetsart university assembly

Picture 6: Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark and Thailand boarded the royal yacht "Chandara" for a voyage along the Chaopraya River on 14 January 1962.

Picture 7: H.M. King Frederik IX and H.M. Queen Ingrid of Denmark attended the inauguration ceremony of the Thai-Danish Dairy Farm and Training Centre on 16 January 1962.

Pictures 8 and 9: H.R.H. Crown Princess Margrethe in Thailand in 1963.

Pictures 10 and 11: H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, H.R.H Prince Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark and H.R.H. Prince Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark paid a state visit to Thailand as guests of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand in 2001.

Picture 12 and 13: H.R.H. Prince Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark attended the 60th anniversary of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand’s accession to the throne in 2006

Pictures 14 and 15: H.R.H Prince Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark attended the Royal Cremation Ceremony of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand on 26 October 2017