via NNT/Pattaya Mail, 24 November 2019: Pope Francis was in Thailand last week for an official visit, but as this article points out the Catholic Church’s relations with the country date back to the Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Narai in the 17th century.
Relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Vatican City State were first established during the reign of King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya, with Pope Clement IX announcing the establishment of the Mission de Siam in 1669. Since then, Catholic missionary work has advanced in Thailand. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V), His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) and Her Majesty Queen Rambai Barni visited the Vatican.
In 1960, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother visited the Vatican and were granted an audience with Pope John XXIII at the Apostolic Palace.
Source: Thailand’s relations with the Vatican date back to 1669 – Pattaya Mail
