On 9 September 2026, Ambassador Nadhavathna Krishnamra, together with officials from the Royal Thai Embassy in London, visited the British Library. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Luisa Elena Mengoni, Director of Collections (Interim), Mr. Michael Erdman, Head of the Middle East and Central Asia Section, Ms. Eleanor Cooper, International Relations Manager, Ms. Jana Igunma, Curator for Thai, Lao and Cambodian Collections, and other members of the British Library who provided a tour of the library’s collections and storage facilities, including important materials related to Thailand and Southeast Asia.

     The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchange knowledge between the Royal Thai Embassy and the British Library, as well as to promote the dissemination and further development of knowledge relating to Thailand’s history, arts, culture, and diplomatic ties with the UK. This joint endeavour is particularly significant as 2027 will mark the 130th anniversary of King Chulalongkorn’s first state visit to Europe in 1897 and the 120th anniversary of His Majesty’s second visit to Europe in 1907. Both landmark visits represented important milestones in the history of Thailand’s relations with Europe, including the UK.

     The Royal Thai Embassy and the British Library are committed to furthering cooperation in the areas of preservation, education and research, as well as the exchange of knowledge related to Thailand. These efforts will help ensure that the valuable historical and cultural heritage preserved in the UK can continue to serve as useful resources for scholars, researchers and the broader public, while contributing to greater understanding of Thailand in the UK.