His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of the Principality of Monaco are among the foreign monarchs to visit Thailand in person for the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne.

King Gustaf, accompanied by Queen Silvia, will arrive in Bangkok on the morning of June 12 and depart on the afternoon of June 14. Aged 60, the King of Sweden graduated in history, sociology, political science, and economics from Uppsula University in Sweden. He succeeded to the throne in 1973 and is best known internationally as the presenter of the Nobel Prize. The King is himself a scout and the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation. He visited Thailand in January 2003 for the 20th World Scout Jamboree.

Both the King and Queen of Sweden have paid many visits to Thailand since 1980. They are interested in Thai culture and traditions. Their visit here in February last year was to thank Thailand for its assistance to the Swedish people affected by the tsunami disaster on 26 December 2004. Thailand and Sweden have closely cooperated in rehabilitation efforts following the tsunami disaster. For instance, the King of Sweden offered his funds for boat building to affected fishermen and for the rehabilitation of coastal resources.

The friendship between Thailand and Sweden has happily existed for a long time, although the two countries upgraded their diplomatic relations to the ambassadorial level in 1959. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand paid a state visit to Sweden in September in 1960, during the reign of King Gustaf VI Adolf, the grandfather of the present King of Sweden. Members of the Thai and Swedish Royal Families have also exchange visits on many occasions.