| Diplomacy is an important process that states use to achieve objectives of their foreign relations and foreign policies. Any state, from the time of its establishment, must develop its foreign policies to serve their government interests. At the same time, states also need to adjust their foreign policies according to the changes of the international affairs. Thailand is an sovereign state that has been maintaining national independence and security. Nowadays there are many authorities that implement diplomatic policies and activities, such as Thai government, State Council, Congress and Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc., but the first actor that must be considered is Thailand’s king and Royal Family.Starting from Thailand’s Sukhothai Dynasty, Ayuthaya Dynasty, Thonburi Dynasty, until Bangkok Dynasty in the year of1932, Thailand had carried out autocratic monarchy. As for diplomacy, the King has been formulating all foreign policies and conducting diplomatic activities, sometimes helped by other royal family members, what was called "royal diplomacy". However, after People’s Party staged a coup in1932, Thailand’s king became the head of the constitutional monarchy state. Despite that fact, Thailand’s constitution still guarantees the King supreme position and respect of Thai people. In foreign affairs, the King and Royal Family members are an important part of national diplomacy. Especially His Majesty King Rama Ⅸ and his Royal Family, which have many diplomatic missions abroad, received state guests and practiced other diplomatic activities. Royal diplomacy went beyond the possibilities of other diplomatic organs and helped to protect national interest, using the King’s special position to increase friendly relations and mutual understanding with other countries, as well as increased Thailand’s reputation and status in international community.This research focuses on Royal diplomacy of Thailand H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Princess Sirindhorn is a daughter of King Bhumibhol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, born in April2,1955. Later in1977, she was titled as "Maha Chakri Sirindhorn". In foreign affairs, Princess Sirindhorn is the most distinctive princess in Thai history, become Thailand’s special envoy. Princess Sirindhorn’s diplomatic practices, pattern and its effects had got praise from many people in the world, obtained variety of awards by foreign governments and world organizations.In diplomacy, Princess Sirindhorn had been practicing Royal diplomatic activities extensively. She carried on various kinds of diplomatic activities, including: 1.Official visits abroad, that can be divided into various types. From1973to2011(B.E.2516-2554) She went abroad200times, visiting63countries, including23Asian countries,22European countries,8African countries,6Oceanian countries,2South American countries and2North American countries.2.Receiving foreign visitors, according to diplomatic practices.3.Supporting diplomatic activities in foreign aids and cooperation plans, including every region of the world and every type of activity.4.Meeting with foreign governments’ officials and leaders of communities.5.Participating in all kinds of diplomatic activities in order to promote Thailand and other countries in order to improve international relationships.In Her patterns of diplomacy, Princess Sirindhorn serving as special envoy of Thailand, certainly had Her unique style. She had suitable conditions as an envoy, including Her personal conditions, broad view of international relations, abilities and vast knowledge, professional diplomatic skills, and ability to comply with the rules of diplomatic etiquette. These special conditions could make princess diplomatic pattern unique. These characteristics include:1.Timely adjusted different foreign policy according to distinctive features of countries and diplomatic activities.2. Emphasis on cultural and educational exchange.3. Providing foreign assistance for development.4. Writing books and translating foreign books in order to increase Thailand and other countries in mutual understanding.Princess Sirindhorn’s diplomatic activities brought to Thai royal family and Thai people in lots of benefits. The benefits brought to Thai royal family:maintaining relations between Thailand royal family and other countries’ royal families; improving reputation of Thailand’s royal family in the world among Thai people. The benefits brought to Thailand’s national interests and Thai people:increasing friendly relations between Thailand and other countries, establishing diplomatic relations, increasing cooperation and exchange between Thailand and other countries, increasing mutual understanding between Thailand and other countries’ people, being able to attune Thailand in international relations on many issues, and eliminating some doubts and enhancing Thailand’s international status and image.In conclusion, this research aims at explaining the theories of royal diplomacy, Thai royal diplomacy’s development and its effects, also Princess Sirindhorn’s diplomatic practice, diplomatic pattern and diplomatic effect. In addition, this Research explains Thai royal diplomacy’s state of affairs and development of friendly relations and cooperation between Thailand and other countries around the world in the future. |
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