On 22 July 2023, H.E. Ms. Vimolbajra Ruksakiati, Ambassador of Thailand to Norway, attended the commemoration ceremony of King Chulalongkorn’s visit to Norway in 1907, two years after Norway gained its independence. The historical visit marked the beginning of the solid friendship between Thailand and Norway, which has continued to flourish until this very day, especially the people-to-people connection. It is the history that both Thais and Norwegians are proud of and this mutual sentiment should be carried on to the future generation. Mr. Robin Kåss, Mayor of Porsgrunn, Mr. Torstein Dahl, Deputy Mayor of Bamble, and more than 200 people participated in the event.
In her remarks, Ambassador Vimolbajra said that the Royal Thai Embassy in Oslo places a high importance on the maintenance and conservation of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn’s monument in Brevik. Therefore, she was most pleased that today marked an auspicious occasion of the completion of the renovation project of our beloved monument. Today, Ambassador Vimolbajra invited everyone to join the Embassy’s volunteering activity to plant roses to improve the scenery landscape of the monument as a gesture to pay tribute to His Majesty King Rama V and His Majesty King Rama X, the present King.
It was really heartwarming to see an increasing number of Norwegian friends and Thai community from various places in Norway come to the Thai Festival in Brevik and enjoy Thai cultural performances, Thai food, and Thai products on the beautiful Norwegian summer day. Ambassador Vimolbajra commended the organizers of this event, especially the Thai Language and Culture Association in Grenland and Thai community in Telemark for their hard work, which reflects the strength of Thai community in Norway.
The Royal Thai Embassy hopes that the Thai Festival in Brevik will be an inspiration for Thais in various parts of Norway to organize similar events to promote Thai soft power in Norway since many of our Norwegian friends share the love and fondness for Thailand and Thai people.