The first of these trips was to Vietnam in 1959, followed by Indonesia and Burma, in 1960. Their Majesties embarked on a month-long visit to the United States, followed by a lengthy visit to 14 European countries. The impact of these visits was enormous, and Born and raised is Majesty the King was at ease in the foreign environments and spoke in English, French and German Though Her Majesty the Queen was more nervous less vocal on these extended trips, particularly during media interviews, she attracted the world's attention for her beauty, poise and glamour. Wearing a combination of westerm outfits designed by Pierre Balmain and Thai outfits which she had specifically compiled from ancient archives, this led to a revival of Thai costume as well as local hand-woven textiles, which had gradually become a dying art due to the influx of cheaper factory-produced printed fabrics. he visits were also strategically beneficial to t country's well-being, particularly during the Cold War As noted by the foreign minister, Thanat Khoman: "The underlying objective of His Majesty's state visits was t make Thailand known internationally and to seek Western support in countering the spread of communism that was a threat to our national security His visits to rural Thailand had started a few years earlier with an extended trip to the northeast of the country in 1955, the first time a Thai monarch had visited this region. He returned to lsan 958, and in the following year he travelled to the south. These trips to became a trademark of His e corners of the Kingdom and historical photographs today often Majesty's reign, show the monarch making his way over rough terrain by car by boat and even on foot, to visit his people, and gain a first-hand experience about their woes so he could nd a way to help them. His tools of trade were a camera, sell produced map and a pencil. With these tools and his talks to village elders and farmers, he began to gain a full perspective of his country that was a far cry from the mountains of Lausanne where he had spent most of his childhood. He was to spend up to eight months of the year travelling upcountry, using his regional palaces Bhubing palace in Chiang Mai, Phu Phan Palace in Sakon Nakhon, Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin and Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace in Narathiwat as his bases. With his deep understanding ofthe problems and the geography as the cultural differences of locality ve formulated his own remedies that would any their well-being and livelihood, more than has ever been able to do for its citizens. en Majesty As part of his plan to help his people, His ted dedicating himself to agricultural experiment and nstration projects within the grounds of Chitralada alace to improve the well-being of his people. Since 196 rojects emphasised the use ofoptimum utilisation o resources and simple, accessible methods backed ntific and technological research with the ultima al to help villagers gain selfsufficiency and long-term