Queen Sirikit's visit to Russia 2007
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Their Majesties the King and the Queen invited to Russia


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Sunday extended an invitation from President Vladimir...
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Queen to visit Russia next week

(dpa) - Her Majesty the Queen will leave for a 10-day visit to Russia beginning on Monday, as the official representative of His Majesty the King to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Thai-Russian relations.

The royal visit by Queen Sirikit is in response to an invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin to celebrate diplomatic relations that were initiated during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V.

Her Majesty will begin her visit at the Kremlin in Moscow, where she will preside over an exhibit of Thai handicrafts. She then is to travel to St Petersburg for a tour of historical sites including the Peterhof Palace where King Chulalongkorn stayed during his visit to Russia in 1887.

While in St Petersburg the Queen will receive an honourary doctorate in oriental languages and cultures from the University of Saint Petersburg.

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Pls give a warm welcome to my Queen

Queen departs on Russian visit

Bangkok (dpa) - Thai Queen Sirikit departed Monday for a nine-day visit to Russia as the official representative of her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Thai-Russian relations, officials said.

Sirikit, 74, and her entourage were sent off from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport by Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, airport officials confirmed.

She is to stay in Russia until July 11 before travelling on to Austria on July 11 to 16 and then to Germany from July 16 to 22 on private visits, said a statement issued by the Bureau of the Royal Household.

The visit to Russia came in response to an invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin to celebrate diplomatic relations that were initiated during the reign of Thai King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V.

Sirikit is to meet Putin Thursday when the Russian president plans to host a royal banquet on her behalf.

On Saturday, she is to visit St Petersburg as the official guest of the city governor for a tour of historic sites, including the Peterhof Palace, where Chulalongkorn stayed during his visit to Russia in 1897.

While in St Petersburg, the Thai queen is also to receive an honorary doctorate in Eastern languages and cultures July 9 from the University of Saint Petersburg.

Both 2006 and 2007 mark special anniversaries for Thailand's royal family. On June 9 last year, Bhumibol commemorated his 60th year on the throne, making him the world's longest reigning monarch.

On December 5 this year, the much-revered monarch will turn 80. Bhumibol, who has not travelled abroad for decades, is the ninth monarch in the Chakri dynasty, which founded Bangkok as its capital in 1782.

Bangkok Post Breaking News