Invited by the Government of China, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand is visiting China from June 1 to 6.

(Photo: Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand)

As the first royal member of Thailand who had visited China in 1982, this is Princess Sirindhorn's 50 visit to China. On June 1, while the plane landed on Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Princess Sirindhorn started her visit from the province of Guangdong.

Why do the Princess of Thailand choose Guangdong as her first stop of the visit? What are the stories between the Princess and Guangdong?

Education and technology is the key area between Thailand and Guangdong

On June 1, Wang Weizhong, Governor of Guangdong Province met with Princess Sirindhorn in Guangzhou, the capital city of the province of Guangdong. Princess Sirindhorn indicated that Thailand will promote more cooperation with Guangdong in the field of vocational education, technology, health, Traditional Chinese Medicine and more.

According to public information, the Princess had visited Guangdong in 1997, 2006 and 2013, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shantou. When reviewing related news reports, GDToday found out that education was the key point during the last two visits.

In 2006, the Princess was hired as honorary professor by 4 Guangdong's universities, including South China University of Technology, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Shantou University.

In addition, she also visited Shantou University and wished the university can cultivate more talents for social development.

（Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in 2013 ）

In 2013, the Princess visited Guangdong University of Foreign Studies with a group of youngsters from Thailand for promoting cultural exchange. Furthermore, she also led the youngsters to learn technology development and history of Guangdong through visiting Guangzhou Science Center, Museum of Guangdong and Yuexiu Park.

She once said that she would like to pay more attention to the field of education and technology in every country, especially the country close to Thailand. She believes that this knowledge would inspire Thailand's development.   

On June 3, the Princess visited Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JNUO). Walking in the laboratory that 700 meters under the ground, Princess Sirindhorn kept asking questions while recording on her notebook.

（Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory in 2023）

JUNO is a multipurpose neutrino experiment designed to determine neutrino mass hierarchy and precisely measure oscillation parametersby detecting reactor neutrinos from the Yangjiang and Taishan Nuclear Power Plants, observe supernova neutrinos, study the atmospheric, solar neutrinos and geo-neutrinos, and perform exotic searches.

In 2017, with the presence of Princess Sirindhrn, three institutions from Thailand, including Chulalongkorn University, Suranaree University of Technology and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand signed the MoU with Institute of High Energy Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences that they join in the international collaboration of the JUNO.

At present, over 700 scientists around the world have joint the collaboration.

Due to the agreement, a number of scientists from Thailand are working at JUNO and prompting the development of the laboratory with Chinese scientists.

During the visit, Thai scientists introduced a magnetic shielding system to the Princess, which is jointly developed by Thai and Chinese scientists.

The connection between the Princess and Guangdong

Thai Chinese is one of the major ethnic groups in Thailand. It is estimated that the population of Thai Chinese accounts 14% of the whole population of Thailand. Most of the Thai Chinese originate from Chaoshan Area in Guangdong, which consists of Chaozhou, Shantou and Jieyang.  

According to the Beijing News, the Princess' grandmother is Thai Chinese and her native place is Chaoshan Area.

The connection between the Princess and Guangdong also inspires her interest in Chinese culture. It is well known that Princess Sirindhrn can not only speak fluent Chinese, but also good at writing Chinese calligraphy and playing Chinese instrument.

During her visit to Shantou in 2006, the Princess put forward a special request that she wanted to see some sightseeing spots with Chaoshan characteristics. Afterwards, she also enjoy Chaoshan drawnwork, a kind of embroidery.

A staff recalled that Princess Sirindhorn record every detail about the trip in Shantou on her notebook and she would like to introduce Chanshan culture to people in Thailand.

Author丨Steven

Editor丨Wing