Princess of the Kingdom of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindon with the delegation visited the Headquarters of the Russian Geographical Society in St. Petersburg. The meeting was held within the framework of the visit of the monarch to the northern capital, timed to the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the kingdom.
The Executive Director of the Russian Geographical Society Artem Manukyan, who was meeting the delegation, told about the activities of the Society and asked the honored guest to get acquainted with the unique historical funds of the Russian Geographical Society.
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In the Scientific Library, the Princess inspected an exposition of rare books related to the history of studying Siam (until the middle of the XX century, so called Thailand). Of particular interest was the two volumes of the Orientalist and diplomat, member of the Society of Gregory Des-Vollan «In White Light», published in 1895, and the book of Prince Esper Ukhtomsky «The Journey to the East of His Imperial Highness the Tsar's Heir, the Tsesarevich. 1890-1891.». The guests were also shown the rare maps of Asia with the pictures of the territory of Thailand, the atlases of the XVIII-XIX centuries.
In the Scientific Archives of the Society, the delegation was presented the «Malacca Diary» by Nikolai Miklukho-Maklai with his numerous drawings and photographs. In February 1875, the traveler visited Siam, which was reflected in his travel notes. Great interest was caused by the original of the letter of protection, which was issued to the researcher by the Siamese authorities in 1875. Attention of the princess was also attracted by photographs of members of the embassy of the kingdom of Siam in France, ade in 1861.
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The book «The History and monuments of Byzantine enamel: From the collection of A. Zvenigorodsky» was also presented to the princess, and Buddhist cult objects from the Scientific Archive, brought by the researcher Pyotr Kozlov after the excavations of the city of Khara-Khoto in Mongolia as well.
In addition, the guests visited the exhibition of rare instruments «The History of the development of geodetic tools», as well as they viewed the exposition devoted to the geographer, the traveler P.P. Semenov-Tian-Shansky.
Let us note that Her Highness did not accidentally show interest in the history and modernity of the Russian Geographical Society – the Princess is a member of the National Geographic Society of the Kingdom of Thailand, and she conducts active educational and scientific-educational activities as well.