Queen Sirikit – ราชบัณฑิตยสภา

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and the Conservation of the Wild Flower Fields in Northeastern Thailand

ผู้ดูแลระบบ — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Thawatchai Santisuk

Abstract

It is a great pride for Thailand and the Thai people, that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit takes a deep interest in the conservation of biological resources and the environment. While visiting the local populace and following up the royally initiated projects in rural areas across the northeast, Her Majesty has become fascinated by the unique, seasonal wetland habitat of multicolored wild flower fields or ‘seasonal blanket marsh vegetation’. This fragile habitat is represented by the ‘Lan Dusita’ and ‘Pha Taem’ wild flower fields in Sakon Nakhon and Ubon
Ratchathani Provinces respectively. At ‘Lan Dusita’ the beauty of the miniature flowering plants dominating the field has immensely pleased Her Majesty. And she has promptly granted the most common wild flowers the royal names: ‘Dusita’ (Utricularia delphinioides), ‘Soi Suwanna’ (U. bifi da), Thip Kesorn (U. minutissima), Sarassa Chandhorn (Burmannia coelestris), and Manee Dheva (Eriocaulon smitinandii). As regards the conservation status, the miniature plants mentioned can be classifi ed under the vulnerable category due to the habitat loss at an alarming rate by deforestation and urban development. Her Majesty has brought in earnest the splendour of the wild fl ower fi elds to the attention of the public and offi cial authorities. She has instructed the government agencies concerned to take immediate action on the proper conservation measures for a revival of the neglected wild fl ower fi elds in northeastern Thailand.

Keywords: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Thailand, wild flower fields

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Queen Sirikit on Her Majesty’s State Visits in 1960 and 1962

ผู้ดูแลระบบ — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Pornsan Watanangura

Abstract

The appointment of the two queens to be Queen Regents in Thai history, indicates the confi dence of the incumbent Kings in the ability of their royal consorts. It also highlights a new era for Thai women and their role in
society. The accompaniment of Her Majesty, with King Rama IX of Thailand, as the youngest monarchs in the world, on offi cial State Visits in 1960 and 1962, proved to be a new and highly signifi cant infl uence, both on a small country in Southeast Asia, post the crisis of World War II and also on how the country was to be perceived internationally thereafter. The state visits of the twentieth century have some similarities with the state visits made to Europe, for the fi rst time, by King Chulalongkorn in 1897. The royal tours of both Kings took place during a background of political turmoil internationally; in both cases the monarchs, King Chulalongkorn and King Bhumibol, gained tremendous acknowledgement and respect internationally. The visits strengthened the already existing ties between the Siamese Court and some of the leading countries of the Western democratic
world. This research paper, beginning from the onset of the fi rst visit to Europe of King Chulalongkorn in 1897, but concentrates on the state visits of Queen Sirikit in 1960 and 1962. It will illustrate the signifi cant impact on diplomatic, political and cultural aspects internationally, at such a critical time. The presence of Queen Sirikit accompanying King Bhumibol, without doubt, increased the success of the visits and helped shape Thai-Asian and Western relations in the long term.

Keywords: Queen Sirikit on State Visits