The Press THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1962. Our Royal Guests

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29908, 23 August 1962, Page 12

The Press THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1962. Our Royal Guests

Christchurch is privileged today to welcome as its guests Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. This will be the first visit to the city of the Head of State of a foreign Power; but such is the brotherhood of free nations that Their Majesties are assured of a reception comparable with that customarily accorded to British Royalty. The occasion will be memorable for many reasons, not the least of which is the formal alliance between Thailand and New Zealand within the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation. Three months ago New Zealand was among the first of Thailand’s allies to respond to a call for support against the Communist threat from neighbouring Laos. Since 1956 the headquarters of S.E.A.T.O. has been a building provided in Bangkok by the Royal Thai Government; and the Secre-tary-General of the organisation (Mr Pote Sarasin) is a Thai national.

Partnership in the Colombo Plan has also drawn New Zealand and Thailand into a closer economic and cultural relationship. For 600 years the Thais have been an independent nation. Their unflinching resolve to resist Communist encroachments commands widespread respect. Both Thailand and New Zealand have themselves been powerless to restrain international developments that now thrust upon them an unprecedented sharing of interests, problems, and dangers. King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit appear before New Zealanders, not merely as fabulous figures from storied Asia, but as the young and gracious representatives of an ancient civilisation, adapting itself astonishingly to the impact of contemporary demands and desperately needing the sympa-

thetic understanding of Western peoples.

Thailand is not a democracy. Till recent years its history was marred by recurrent political crises and by the harsh repression of personal freedoms. The circumstances of King Bhumibol’s accession were far from auspicious. That the King and his charming consort have contributed much towards a more liberal, enlightened regime, and to the economic and social advancement of their people, is persuasive testimony to their abilities and strength of purpose. Since 1957 the effective administrator of Thailand has been Marshal Sarit Thanarat, whose Government now functions under an interim constitution promulgated in January, 1959. Thailand, having abandoned its earlier abortive experiment in Western-style parliamentary government, still seeks a new formula; and in the meantime the members of its Constituent Assembly are appointed by the King on the nomination of Marshal Sarit. Unquestionably the most notable feature of recent Thai history has been the emergence of the Monarchy from its traditional aloofness, and its identification, in a way formerly inconceivable, with the destinies of its subjects. By overseas study, very extensive travels, and acquaintance with foreign statesmen, the King has sought to fit himself as leader of the new Thailand. In all this he has been magnificently seconded by Queen Sirikit. Probably more than anything else, Their Majesties’ claims to Thai affections and loyalty should conduce to internal political stability, to the spread of democratic ideas in Thailand, and to the strengthening of friendship with the West.