CONFIDENTIAL
८
Since the King and Queen of Thailand had paid a State Visit to the United Kingdon in 1960, they were anxious that a return State Visit should be paid at an early date; the Thai Government would however be unlikely to view with enthusiasm any extension to include a visit to Cambodia, with which Thailand was on bad terms. On the other hand Prince Sihanouk of Canbodia, whom we did not want to offend, might regard it as a slight if The Queen did not visit Cambodia during a visit to South East Asia. But he had had to decline an invitation to dine with The Queen on a recent visit to Europe and it would be possible to explain to him that The Queen was returning a State Visit and would be happy to see Prince Sihanouk in the
▲ possible United Kingdom next time he cared to visit this country.
compromise might be to arrange for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to visit Angkor privately if they visited Thailand and meet Prince Sihanouk in
that way.
The advice of our High Comissioner in Malaysia and our Imbassadors in Thailand and Cambodia should be sought on the possibility of a Royal Visit to South East Asia. Her Majesty's representatives should be asked for their views on climate, the timing of the visit, the possible repercussions of any reduction in the level of our forces as a result of the Defence Review on the acceptability of such a visit and also on the likely reaction of the Thai and Cambodian Governments to the sort of arrangement which had
been discussed.
Subject to the advice received, the Committee night
consider in some three weeks' tine whether to advise that a visit to South East Asia in 1968 should be contemplated or whether instead The Queen and the
X
Duke of Edinburgh night contemplate visting South America (up to three. countries at the most) or Austria and Switzerland in 1968.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.