Celebration of 60 years of the Coronation of HM The Queen in Chiang Mai
The British Ambassador hosted a reception in Chiang Mai to celebrate 60 years of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The British Ambassador Mark Kent hosted a reception at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai on Wednesday 20 November 2013, to celebrate 60 years of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Among the guests were government officials, local communities, business people and media members. This year is also special to the UK and Thailand as they look forward to the 5th century of Thai-UK relations.
Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Thailand, said
Britain and Thailand have had close relationship of friendship and cooperation for over four centuries. Both countries share a love and respect for the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was 60 years ago. She is the world’s second longest reigning monarch, after HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej who has reigned for 67 years. The first official contact between Great Britain and Thailand was in 1612 when a letter from King James I was presented to King Song Dharma of Ayudhaya by the captain of the English East India Company ship, the Globe. Although an English explorer, Ralph Fitch in 1586 visited Chiang Mai, then a Lanna kingdom.
Modern day relations are characterized by growing bilateral trade and investment. Bilateral trade between Thailand and the UK is increasing dramatically and is now worth around 300 billion baht. Last year the UK export of goods to Thailand increased by 42%. We are seeing a significant increase in the number of British companies doing business in Thailand across a range of sectors, as well as Thai businesses seeking to trade with and invest in the UK.
In this auspicious occasion, the British Embassy in Bangkok, the British Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai and Central Festival Chiang Mai hosted a Britain is GREAT Fair between 21 and 24 November at the Central Festival Chiang Mai, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of HM The Queen Elizabeth II, and the start of the 5th century of Thai-UK relations. The Britain is GREAT Fair was opened on 21 November by Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Thailand, who arrived at Central Festival leading a convoy of British vintage cars. The fair highlighted what is GREAT in British products and services, education, arts and culture.
Further information
UK Trade & Investment Thailand
Follow British Ambassador Mark Kent on twitter @KentBKK