Thai King Embarks on Historic China Visit After 50 Years

Published: 13 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn is due to arrive in China on Wednesday, marking the first visit by a reigning Thai monarch in half a century.

The trip comes at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. China is believed to have sought this visit for several years.

While Thailand remains officially a military ally of the United States, its relationship with China has grown steadily closer in recent years. In contrast, ties with Washington have been strained due to US criticism of Thailand’s human rights record, tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency, and perceptions that the US is less committed to its Asian allies.

The Thai government described the trip as one that “underlines the deep-rooted friendship and mutual understanding shared between Thailand and China at all levels.” During the visit to Beijing, the king and his wife, Queen Suthida, will tour landmarks such as the Lingguang Buddhist Temple and the Beijing Aerospace City. President Xi and his wife will host a state banquet for the Thai royals.

China is Thailand’s largest trading partner and is increasingly a rival to the US as a source of military equipment. Many Thais trace their ancestry to Chinese migrants, a connection the Chinese government often emphasizes as “brotherly” or familial.

Earlier this year, Thailand deported 40 Uyghur asylum seekers back to China, defying warnings from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In August, an exhibition at Bangkok’s main arts centre featuring Uyghur and Tibetan artists was censored following Chinese diplomatic complaints. Chinese influence has also been linked to actions against scam compounds along Thailand’s Myanmar border and to blocking proposals to legalize casinos in Thailand.

This visit is King Vajiralongkorn’s first major state visit since ascending the throne nine years ago, following an inaugural trip to Bhutan in April. Thai-Chinese ties were severed in 1949 after the Communist Party of China came to power, reflecting the Cold War era focus on Thailand as a US ally.

Princess Sirindhorn, the king’s younger sister, has played a crucial role in restoring and sustaining Thai-Chinese relations. She has studied Chinese language and art for 45 years and has been a frequent visitor to China, helping bridge cultural and diplomatic gaps.

The visit underscores the strategic and cultural significance of the Thai-Chinese relationship and highlights shifting dynamics in Southeast Asia’s geopolitical landscape.