In remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, U.S. Embassy Bangkok presents historic moments of the enduring friendship between His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the U.S.
The second of the series is: “Remembering King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s state visit to the U.S. in 1960”
In June 1960 while on their official state visit to the United States, Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit also made a historic stop at the famed Californian theme park Disneyland. Their Majesties, as well as Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya were also welcome by Walt Disney himself.
On June 28, 1960 U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally welcomed Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit on their first official visit to the United States capital, Washington, D.C. Both the President and His Majesty gave short speeches highlighting the strong ties between the United States and Thailand.
It’s a tradition for the U.S. President to host a formal state dinner to welcome foreign dignitaries who visit the United States. President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon hosted a special dinner to welcome Their Majesties at the White House on the evening of June 28, 1960.
One of the notable historical events during Their Majesties’ first official visit to the United States was when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej addressed the Joint Meeting of the U.S. Congress on June 29, 1960. “I want to know how, in this country, millions of people, differing in race, tradition, and belief, can live together freely and in happy harmony,” His Majesty said.
On July 5, 1960, Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit were warmly welcomed to New York City with a special “ticker-tape parade”. A ticker-tape parade is used to describe a big celebratory parade that is usually made even more lavish by scattering a snow-storm like flurry of shredded paper and confetti. Such a parade in the U.S. is reserved for very special occasions. Their Majesties visited New York City as a part of their official state visit to the United States that year.
Thank you Thai Film Archive for preserving this documentary of the first official visit to the United States of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family. The documentary was produced in 1971 by Thep Phanom Production Company in conjunction with the United States Information Service, the former name of the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
