On 2 December 2019, The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata hosted a reception on the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Thailand’s Father’s Day at Galaxy Banquet Hall, The Park, Kolkata. Approximately 250 guests, members of the Consular Corps of Kolkata, friends of Thailand and counterparts from economic, social, cultural, educational, travel and tourism as well as press and media sectors, attended this event.

                      The evening was inaugurated by Miss Sweeya Santipitaks, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, and Shri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Department, Chief Guest on behalf of the Government of West Bengal, India. The Consul-General of Thailand delivered her speech to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and the United Nations’ recognition of His Majesty’s lifelong work on the improvement of the quality of life of the population through the designation of the 5^th December of every year as the “World Soil Day”. She highlighted important events throughout the year 2019, ranging from the Royal Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Rama X, to Thailand’s chairmanship of ASEAN and the successful 35^th ASEAN Summit, during which His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha and His Excellency Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Ministers of Thailand and India met for a bilateral meeting and co-chaired the ASEAN-India Summit on 3 November 2019. The Consul-General of Thailand also congratulated the signing of MoUs between Ranong Port (under the Port Authority of Thailand) and the Port Trusts of Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam, under the auspices of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and felicitated the increase in Thailand-India trade values and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) values. She informed of the Consulate’s ongoing project on Rabindranath Tagore’s Visit to Siam in 1927, which will be completed in 2020. Finally, she invited distinguished guests to admire the beauty of the Royal Barge Ceremony which was scheduled to take place on 12 December 2019 along Chao Phraya River, and to profit from the extended visa on arrival (VoA) fee exemption scheme applicable to Indian tourists until 30 April 2020.

                      The ceremonial opening was followed by the Thai Festival under the theme ‘Flowers and Fashion’. The venue was lavishly decorated with Thai orchids by Mr. Phubast Chesdmethee, Vice-President of the World Flower Council (WFC), International Floral Designer and Consultant. Honorary fashion models, comprising Thai and foreign diplomats including Thai staff and Thai Spa therapists at the Park Hotel, wearing Thai printed silk and other materials by renowned Thai young designers, in collaboration under the Ministry of Culture of Thailand. They also wore floral headdresses and carried bouquets made by Mr. Phubast Chesdmethee, and pearl jewelries from Siam Glitters 1957, under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana.

                      The Thai modern artistic flower and fashion show was applauded by the guests for its unique gimmicks and glamour. Thai orchids were especially showcased in all their variations and colours on display backdrops, around the banquet hall as well as on the garments worn by the fashion models.

                      After the fashion show, a buffet line of authentic Thai cuisine, specially prepared by Chef Ananchai Suttison from The Park, Kolkata, was served as an integral part of the event. The guests had an opportunity to admire the video clips on Thailand’s tourism, Thai food and Thai fabrics, as well as listen to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s self-composed songs with special authorisation from the Royal Secretariat Department of Thailand. Lastly, the event was complemented by product display and information booths by members of Team Thailand and sponsors: (1) CPF (India) Privated Limited Company, (2) Thai Airways International Private Limited Company, Kolkata and (3) Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi Office.

                      A large number of Indian people choose to have their wedding ceremonies organised in Thailand, have their venues lavishly decorated by fresh flowers, buy modern outfits from abroad and love to taste Thai food. The feedback from the guests about the Thai culinary treats, the floral decoration of the venue and the original combination of the Thai fabric fashion show with floral and pearl ornaments was indeed very positive. The event caught considerable attention from the press and media invitees, who made rich press coverage in local news.

Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata,

12 December 2019