The Prime Minister welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom, who recalled Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and discussed strengthening Thailand–UK cooperation in education, women's roles, and health security.
On 16 July 2026 at 15:30, in the Ivory Room of the Thai Khu Fah Building at Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom and Rear Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence on the occasion of their official visit to Thailand from 15–18 July 2026.
Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that both sides exchanged views on Thailand–UK relations and discussed youth development, promoting education, and increasing women's participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The Prime Minister expressed great honor to welcome the Princess Royal and admiration for her since childhood. He said this visit holds great meaning for the Thai people, noting that she laid wreaths to pay respect at the royal cremation site of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and at the funeral of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, reflecting the close ties between the monarchies of both countries. The Princess Royal is also scheduled to pay audience to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen.
The Princess Royal expressed gratitude to the government for the warm welcome and recalled fond impressions from previous visits to Thailand. She praised Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, for her impressive dedication to the nation. Additionally, she expressed sympathy over recent fires in Thailand, commended the rescue personnel and related agencies, and personally presented a condolence message to the Prime Minister.
Both sides shared views on promoting education and increasing women's roles in STEM fields. The Princess Royal emphasized that successful promotion of women in these fields requires support from both families and educators. The Prime Minister shared his engineering background and stressed that education, logical thinking, and analytical skills are fundamental for problem-solving and national development.
They also exchanged perspectives on the importance of strengthening health security and preparedness for emerging diseases and future epidemics. Both agreed on the need to develop public health systems, research, and international cooperation to effectively meet health challenges. Thailand is recognized as a leader in Asia. The Prime Minister praised the UK’s medical and scientific capabilities and expressed confidence that both countries can expand cooperation in health security, particularly between medical educational institutions, more closely in the future.
