Premiere screening of the documentary
“King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua in Australia”
commemorating His Majesty the King’s time in Australia
16 February 2021
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn lived in Australia from 1970 to 1976. The then-Crown Prince studied at The King’s School in Sydney and at the prestigious Royal Military College, Duntroon, and trained with the elite Special Air Service Regiment.
In late 2018, the Australian Embassy in Bangkok obtained archival footage of the King’s time in Australia. Over the following months, the Embassy developed the footage into a documentary to highlight the shared history between the Thai Royal Family and Australia.
In addition to providing unique insights into King Vajiralongkorn’s time in Australia, the documentary covers the visit to Australia by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, in 1962 – the first foreign monarchs to ever visit Australia.
The documentary also incorporates contemporary footage of the Thai-Australia relationship and interviews with the King’s classmates during his time in Australia, including the current Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), former Governor-General of Australia, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC (Retd), and other distinguished Australians.
The Embassy was honoured to receive His Majesty the King, as well as Prime Minister Prayut, Privy Counsellors, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, at the Australian Embassy for the premiere screening of the documentary on 15 February 2021.
The event included a photographic exhibition depicting the historic visits to Australia by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
In his address at the event, Ambassador Allan McKinnon PSM said ‘The presence of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida speaks to the long and special friendship that Thailand and Australia share. It is a relationship marked by mutual respect and admiration, as well as deep practical cooperation.’
‘Together, the documentary and the photo exhibition underline the shared history of Australia and Thailand. It is this history that underpins the strength of our modern relationship, which was recently elevated to the status of a Strategic Partnership, signed by Prime Ministers Prayut Chan-o-cha and Scott Morrison last November.’
Click here for Thai version