HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn welcomes Chinese icebreaker "Xue Long 2" on its first visit to Thailand

State-of-the-art polar research vessel opens to the public in Sattahip, celebrating Princess Sirindhorn's 70th birthday and 50 years of Thai-Chinese friendship

On May 20, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously attended the welcoming ceremony for the Chinese icebreaker ship “Xue Long 2” on its first visit to Thailand. The event, held at Chuk Samet Pier in Sattahip, Chonburi Province, was also attended by Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang.

Nearly 300 guests were present, including Sun Shuxian, China’s Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Director of China’s State Oceanic Administration, along with Thai government officials and representatives from various research institutions.

The princess toured the Xue Long 2, showing keen interest as she visited the control room, laboratory, living quarters, and medical facilities aboard the ship. She praised China’s outstanding achievements in polar scientific research and highlighted the 12-year success of the Sirindhorn Thailand-China Joint Antarctic Research Laboratory.

Expressing gratitude to China for allowing Thai scientists to participate in China’s polar exploration, the princess hoped that the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China would mark a new beginning for deeper cooperation in science, technology, and human resource development between the two countries.

To commemorate Princess Sirindhorn’s 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, the Chinese research icebreaker “Xue Long 2” arrived in Thailand on May 19 and was open for public tours over five days, until May 23, at Chuk Samet Pier, Sattahip Commercial Port, Sattahip Naval Base, Chonburi Province.

(2025/05/22-00:00)