The event was opened by H.E. Mr Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Ambassador of Thailand to the United Kingdom, together with Khun Saipin Saiswang Lee, Chair of ATBUK. We were privileged to welcome distinguished guests, ATBUK members and friends from the Anglo-Thai community for this important occasion.

Why was King Chulalongkorn’s visit to Britain so important?

Dr Wit took us back to a time when European colonial powers were expanding across Asia. Thailand, then known as Siam, was surrounded by territories under British and French colonial control.

Yet Thailand remained independent, alongside Japan as one of the few Asian nations to avoid formal Western colonisation.

This was not simply a matter of luck.

Dr Wit explained how King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) recognised that protecting Siam’s independence required careful planning, diplomacy and an understanding of international power.

Thailand’s diplomatic relationship with the West had developed over several reigns. Contact expanded under King Rama III, followed by the Bowring Treaty with Britain in 1855 during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV).

King Chulalongkorn took this further.

His European journey in 1897 was carefully planned to strengthen relationships with influential European monarchs and governments. Britain was an important stop, including his historic meeting with Queen Victoria at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

Rather than relying solely on military strength, King Chulalongkorn used diplomacy, personal relationships and modernisation to protect Siam’s position.

Education was also central to his strategy. Members of the royal family were sent to study in Europe, including Britain, gaining knowledge and experience that would help modernise Thailand’s administration and institutions.

The visit was not merely ceremonial. It was part of a much wider strategy to ensure Siam could negotiate with powerful nations while maintaining its sovereignty.

The legacy through two World Wars

Dr Wit also reflected on how Thailand continued to navigate international challenges during WWI and WWII, making difficult strategic and diplomatic decisions to protect the country’s sovereignty.

During WWI, Thailand’s alignment with the Allies helped strengthen its international standing. During WWII, the Free Thai Movement played an important role in maintaining relationships with the Allies and safeguarding Thailand’s position after the war.

These events demonstrated how the importance of diplomacy, international relationships and strategic thinking continued beyond the reign of King Chulalongkorn.

Remembering Queen Rambhai Barni and King Rama VII

Another important part of this history is Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni, Queen Consort of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).

Following King Rama VII’s abdication in 1935 and his passing in Britain in 1941, Queen Rambhai Barni remained in England during the war. She supported the Free Thai Movement and contributed to wartime voluntary activities.

We are particularly pleased to acknowledge that UNESCO has included the centennial commemoration of Queen Rambhai Barni’s contributions to education, social development and gender equality in its 2026–2027 Anniversaries Celebration programme.

This has special significance for ATBUK.

Earlier this year, our Chair, Khun Saipin Saiswang Lee, participated in a visit to Golders Green Crematorium in London, where King Rama VII was cremated in 1941. The visit included paying respects and viewing the cherry blossom trees planted in his memory by the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation.

It is a meaningful connection between the history we discussed at the lecture and the Thai heritage that remains part of Britain’s history today.

What can we learn from this history?

One of the strongest messages from Dr Wit’s lecture was that having a strategy is not enough. What matters equally is how that strategy is carried out.

King Chulalongkorn understood the importance of timing, choosing the right diplomatic relationships, investing in education and preparing the country for the future.

These decisions helped shape modern Thailand and continue to offer lessons for leadership, international relations and business today.

Dr Wit ended his lecture with three simple principles for making history meaningful and memorable:

1. Remember with the heart
2. Simplification
3. Entertainment

A reminder that history should not only be recorded, but understood, shared and remembered by future generations.

Our sincere thanks

ATBUK would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr Wit Sittivaekin for an engaging and informative lecture that brought this important period of Thai history to life.

We extend our deepest gratitude to H.E. Mr Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Ambassador of Thailand to the United Kingdom, and the Royal Thai Embassy team for their generous hospitality and support.

Special thanks to Khun Saipin Saiswang Lee, Chair of ATBUK, for her leadership and commitment to organising this special event and bringing our community together.

We also thank all our distinguished guests, ATBUK members and friends who attended and joined the reception afterwards.

As an association dedicated to strengthening Thai-British business relationships, we value the opportunity to understand the history behind the ties we continue to develop today.

Thailand’s independence was not preserved by chance. It was the result of diplomacy, difficult decisions and the ability to turn long-term plans into action.