On 4 December 2023, H.E. Ms. Vimolbajra Ruksakiati, Ambassador of Thailand to Norway, hosted a Reception on the occasion of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, Thai National Day, and Thai Father’s Day at the Thai Residence. The Reception was attended by 85 distinguished participants including H.E. Mr. Erling Rimestad, former State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Tone Elisabeth Bækkevold Allers, Chief of Protocol and Director General, Department for Cultural Relations and Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tage Pettersen, Storting Representative for Østfold, as well as members of Diplomatic corps in Norway, including Ambassadors of Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, South Korea, India, Morocco, Cuba, El Salvador, Chile, Canada, Serbia, United Kingdom, Kosovo, Italy, and the EU and representatives from business sector, including Mr. Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, Mr. Terje Ommundsen, owner of Plah and Ahaan restaurants, a representative from OKEA ASA and representatives from Thai community in Norway including the Thai Women’s Association in Norway, Thai-Norway Language and Cultural Association, Thailand NIE Learning Centre in Østfold, Thai Music and Dance Club in Norway, Thai Buddhist Association in Norway, Wat Thai Norway, and Thai Language and Cultural Association in Grenland.
Ambassador Vimolbajra paid respect in front of the royal portraits of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phravajiraklaochaoyuhua and invited the attendances to pay respect to the Royal Anthem of Thailand and the Norwegian National Anthem.
On this occasion, Ambassador Vimolbajra delivered her remarks, honoring in praise and remembrance of the continuous hard work of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, which His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phravajiraklaochaoyuhua has carried on the development projects of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, especially the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, and initiated the 904 Royal Volunteers Training Center as a learning hub for His Father’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the volunteer activities for the stronger Thai society.
Ambassador Vimolbajra said that Thailand and Norway share constructive and meaningful friendship. The starting point of our relations dated back to the 1907 historic visit by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, which developed into close and cordial tie, especially between our peoples. This year, the bilateral relations have been even more dynamic, especially with the 12th Bilateral Consultations between Thailand and Norway held at the political level, the oldest bilateral mechanism that Thailand has with the Northern European countries. Both sides agreed on cooperation in many issues, notably clean and renewable energy. Furthermore, the inaugural flight between Oslo and Bangkok, operated by the Norse Atlantic Airways, last month also promote people-to-people connectivity and tourism. The trade volumes between Thailand and Norway have grown significantly, and the Thai-EFTA FTA negotiation, which is targeted to be completed next year, is in full steam. Thailand hopes to see more Norwegian investment in Thailand, especially the Norwegian Government Pension Fund, to join in many mega projects in Thailand, including Landbridge.
For the past four years, Ambassador Vimolbajra said that she traveled extensively to over 27 major cities in Norway from Svalbard, North Cape, Kirkenes to Kristiansand, which have enriched her learning experiences about Norway, and paid study visits with the Thailand and Nordic Countries Innovation Unit (TNIU) to learn about Norway’s expertise, including marine debris management, sustainable aquaculture, and oil production platform, which the cooperation between Thailand’s Bangchak group and Norwegian OKEA ASA is a good model of cooperation in the field of energy sustainability.
Ambassador Vimolbajra expressed her deepest appreciation to the Thai community in Norway of over 30,000 people for giving her heart-warming support from day one and that they have inspired her to perform her duty to the best of her ability. She said she is very proud of them as they are a strong community and represent Thailand-Norwegian relations in the most genuine and meaningful way.
On this occasion, Ambassador Vimolbajra invited the attendances to experience Thai soft power through Thai food, Thai classical music, and traditional Thai massage to be presented by the Thai community themselves. This year, team of Thai chefs from Bergen created various menus based on Thai rice, in loving remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, as His Majesty was honoured as the Father of Thai Rice Research and Development. The Embassy also intended to promote Traditional and ethical Thai massage and enhance its good reputation it truly deserves.
After her remarks, Ambassador Vimolbajra proposed a toast to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phravajiraklaochaoyuhua and His Majesty King Harald V of Norway.
The Reception features Thai cultural shows, including Thai food, Thai desserts, fresh flowers and hand garlands decoration, Thai classical music, including songs composed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, by a representative from Thai Music and Dance Club in Norway, and traditional Thai massage to relax the neck and shoulder areas for everyone, represented by members of the "Project Promoting Potential Development of Thai Massage in Norway", initiated by the Thai Women’s Association in Norway and supported by the Royal Thai Embassy, Oslo.