While informing the Embassy’s respect for the freedom of speech of the Norwegian media, the NRK took note of Ambassador Ruksakiati’s expression of concern that the TV episode has caused a negative impact, in general, on the good image of Thailand and the Thai community in Norway. Ambassador Ruksakiati also stressed that the actions and behaviors of those who are involved in the concealed sex industry and prostitution in some Thai massage parlors in Norway do not represent the majority of Thai community in Norway, who are contributing positively to the Norwegian society. The NRK felt sorry to learn that some Thai children and women in Norway have faced with harassment and discrimination as a result of the said TV episode. However, the NRK informed that the intention of the TV episode was not to depict a story about Thai women or Thai massage parlors in Norway and the NRK tried its best to prevent the possible stigmatization of Thai women. The TV episode was a factual account about women in the Norwegian society who are being exploited in the sex industry in Norway. The NRK also hopes that by pinpointing the problem that has long been a failure of the Norwegian society, some positive changes and actions could be taken by the Norwegian society and the Norwegian authorities concerned to curb this problem.

 

Both sides had a constructive and useful discussion on how to further tackle this concerning social problem in Norway in a comprehensive way. In this regard, the NRK extended its full support and intended to follow-up on the Embassy’s comprehensive and long-term approach in addressing this issue, including the ongoing efforts being made by the Embassy and the Thai community in Norway, through the Association of Thai Women in Norway, on a mechanism to uplift the standard of the Thai massage parlors in Norway. The NRK also commended the Embassy for its efforts to engage with the Norwegian authorities concerned, including the Ministry of Culture and Equality, and other government agencies such as the Ministry of Justice and the Directorate of Police and/or relevant Norwegian NGOs in order to prevent and address this social problem and issues relating to social discrimination and human trafficking.

 

The Embassy and the NRK share a mutual ambition to further promote the good image of Thailand through the Embassy’s various cultural activities, including Thai Fair, Thai cooking demonstration, and Thai classical and music performances by the Thai community in Norway and Thai artists. These activities will benefit cross cultural cooperation between Thailand and Norway and will further promote the close and friendly relations between the two countries, especially people-to-people relations.