Thai King and Queen to pay state visit to Laos

Their Majesties Maha Vajiralongkorn and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will pay a state visit to Laos from March 16-18 at the invitation of President Thongloun Sisoulith.
According to a statement issued by Laos’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Thursday, the visit aims to deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Laos and Thailand.
The ministry said the state visit is expected to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two neighbouring countries and promote cooperation in support of continued growth and sustainable development.

The visit also reflects the enduring friendship between the Lao and Thai peoples, which continues to flourish through regular high-level reciprocal visits and cooperation across various fields.
Laos and Thailand maintain a strong partnership based on good-neighbourly relations and mutual support. The two countries also share close cultural and historical ties, as well as strong interaction and exchanges between their peoples.
Biography
His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn was born on July 28, 1952, at Ambara Villa in Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the second of four children and the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit.
On December 28, 1972, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej commanded that His Royal Highness be formally invested with the title of Crown Prince in a full royal ceremony, thereafter bearing the royal title of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand.
His Majesty has three children: Bajrakitiyabha, born December 7, 1978; Sirivannavari Nariratana, born January 8, 1987; and Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, born April 29, 2005.
Education
His Majesty received his primary education at the Nursery School of Udorn Hall in Dusit Palace and later at Chitralada School in Bangkok.
He subsequently continued his studies abroad, attending King’s Mead Preparatory School in Seaford, Sussex, United Kingdom, followed by Millfield School in Somerset, United Kingdom.
From 1970 to 1971, he studied at The King’s School in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia. He later pursued higher education at the University of New South Wales, Faculty of Military Studies, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military Studies.
His Majesty also attended the Royal Thai Army Command and General Staff College (56th Class) and later earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Bangkok.
In 1990, he successfully attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.
Military service
His Majesty has served in numerous positions in the Royal Thai Armed Forces. On December 9, 1975, he was appointed as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence.
On October 6, 1978, he became executive officer of the King’s Own Bodyguard Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, King’s Own Bodyguard. On November 28, 1980, he was appointed commander of the same battalion.
He later served as commanding officer of the King’s Own Bodyguard Regiment on February 13, 1984, and as commanding general of the King’s Own Bodyguard Command on July 30, 1988.
On January 9, 1992, he was appointed commanding general of the Royalty Security Command under the Office of the Supreme Commander. On May 4, 1994, he served as an instructor pilot on F-5 E/F fighter aircraft.
His Majesty holds the highest ranks in Thailand’s armed forces: General of the Royal Thai Army, Admiral of the Royal Thai Navy, and Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force.
Military training
From January to October 1976, His Majesty received a Royal Thai Army scholarship for further military training and studies in Australia, where he was attached to the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth, Western Australia.
During this period, he undertook courses in special forces weapons, demolition and unconventional warfare tactics, advanced navigation training, advanced patrol and navigation, and the basic parachutist course.
Between 1979 and 1981, he completed a number of aviation and military training programmes. These included rotary-wing helicopter training on the UH-1H with a total flying time of 59.36 hours, and Bell AH-1S Cobra helicopter training.
From February to May 1980, he attended military training at the United States Army Institute for Military Assistance at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States. Training covered small arms and mortar operations, special operations, counterinsurgency operations, guerrilla warfare, survival training and parachuting, including land and sea jumps.
Further aviation training included extensive flying hours on Bell UH-1H and Bell UH-1N helicopters, the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260MT aircraft and the Cessna T-37 jet trainer.
From October to December 1981, he undertook military and police observation tours in the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, France and Australia.
From October 1982 to September 1983, His Majesty successfully completed the United States Air Force International Military Conversion Course for the F-5 fighter aircraft and the USAF Advanced Fighter Course at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona, accumulating more than 2,000 flying hours.
Combat operations
During periods when insurgency activities were present in Thailand, His Majesty intermittently participated in counterinsurgency operations in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. He also undertook protective missions in areas surrounding Cambodian refugee camps at Khao Lan in Trat province.
Royal activities
From an early age, His Majesty was designated to represent the Thai monarch at various royal functions both within Thailand and abroad.
Over time, he assumed increasing responsibilities, presiding over official ceremonies, attending conferences and providing guidance to groups on legal and national matters.
Internationally, he has represented the Thai monarchy during official visits to friendly countries across different continents and has received many foreign dignitaries during their visits to Thailand.
His Majesty has also accompanied members of the Thai royal family on visits throughout the country to inspect and supervise royal development projects in various regions, including the south, northeast and north of Thailand.
He has been actively assisted in these royal activities by his daughters, Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 16, 2026 )