Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn cuts the ribbon during the launching ceremony of her pictorial album, in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 14, 2007. The glossy pictorial album, titled Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Visit to Qinghai and Tibet, recording her recent visit to China's western remoteness -- Qinghai Province and Tibet, was launched Wednesday in Bangkok. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BANGKOK, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- A glossy pictorial album recording Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's recent visit to China's western remoteness -- Qinghai Province and Tibet, was launched Wednesday in Bangkok.

    The album, titled Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Visit to Qinghai and Tibet, features the Princess's latest and 24th visit to China in April, characterized with an exploring journey to Tibet and the neighboring Qinghai Province, a land boasting colorful religious and ethnic culture and enchanting natural scenery.

    The launch ceremony in downtown Bangkok was attended by Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jiuhuan and Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office of China Cai Mingzhao, and diplomatic envoys from other countries to Thailand. During the ceremony, slides of photos the Princess herself took during the journey were shown, including some of the highlights of her visit, particularly her traversing of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau via the recently completed 1,956-kilometer Qinghai-Tibet Railway (QTR), known as the "Road to Heaven" with the world's highest altitudes, which has been in operation one year by now.

    This is not the Princess's first visit to Tibet, which was made in August 2001. It is her first experience via the QTR, which also made her the first foreign royal to travel on the world's highest railway that runs between Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, and Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

    The Princess said she was greatly impressed by the special rail journey, which was an eye-opener for her.

    Presenting the Princess with the volume, Cai Mingzhao, vice minister and also president of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG), said, "Also intended as a token of friendship between China and Thailand, this album is symbolic of the real and ever stronger friendship that exists between our two nations."

    The album, officially launched Wednesday simultaneously in Bangkok, was conceived and published by the Beijing-based CIPG, one of the largest publishing organizations in China. Its production was timed to complete upon the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the formal establishment of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations and the commencing operation of the QTR, both on July 1, 2007.

    The album, in more than 100 pictures and detailed illuminations in the Thai and Chinese languages, offers a vivid view into Tibet's fascinating history, colorful culture, unique customs and remarkable scenery. Further described are particulars of the engineering and development of the railway.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn attends the launching ceremony of her pictorial album, in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 14, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    It also records a sentimental scene in which the Thai Princess met in Tibet's capital of Lhasa with a group of Tibetan students, whom she sponsors and supports.

    Since 1981, the Thai Princess has experienced 24 separate journeys through China, traveling to many regions, provinces and municipalities.

    The Princess has recorded her China visits extensively by writing her travel experiences in China and her personal insight into the nation and the people, and has published ten books on the journeys, which have all made a hit in Thailand.

    With her keen interest and continuous learning of the Chinese language and culture including Chinese traditional calligraphy and painting, the Princess has become known in Thailand as a Sinologist.

    The first batch of the album to be on the Thai book market will be about 5,500 volumes, according to the CIPG.