Swedish Ambassador, His Excellency Klas Molin
addresses the gathering.
Sue Kukarja
On the 3rd October 2014, Community leaders and socialites from Pattaya
and Bangkok celebrated the grand opening of the new Swedish consulate in Pattaya
at the Dusit Thani Hotel.
The event was presided over by the Swedish Ambassador H.E. Klas Molin.
In his opening speech, the Ambassador congratulated Mr. Chatchawal
Supachayanont, the General Manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya, who took over as the
new Swedish consul of Pattaya office in June 2014, replacing Dr. Sunya
Viravaidya, who served in the same position at the Sugar Hut Resort for 10
years.
H.E. Dr Sunya Viravaidya speaks fondly of the Swedes
and his ten years as Honorary Swedish Consul.
His Excellency thanked the dignitaries and all the guests for attending the
event, and gave a short history of Swedish consuls in Thailand.
“The first consulate in Pattaya was established in October 1993, while the very
first consulate that Sweden opened in Thailand was in Chiang Mai 23 years ago.
Swedish Embassy in Bangkok also handles consular issues from the Philippines,
Myanmar and Laos.”
“It’s a wonderful location here at the Dusit Thani, it’s new, modern, and very
appropriate for Pattaya,” he said in an interview with Pattaya Mail.
H.E. Chatchawal Supachayanont the new consul pledges
to look after the interests of Swedish nationals under his jurisdiction.
“Before I came here three years ago I was director-general for Asia and the
Pacific in the foreign ministry in Sweden, so I had a wide responsibility
geographically and functionally for all our relations with Asia and the Pacific.
This is my second tour of Thailand as I served here 25 years ago and I love
being here.”
“Bilateral relations are excellent and frequent high-level bilateral visits have
taken place over the past years. A new Joint Plan of Action was signed in Sweden
on March 4, 2013 focusing on economy, trade and people-to-people activities.
More than 20,000 Thai citizens are living in Sweden and closer to half a million
Swedes are coming to Thailand as tourists every year while around 10,000 Swedes
stays in Thailand permanently.”
His Excellency Klas Molin bestows the Order of the
Polar Star on Dr Sunya.
Molin said Swedes using the consulate have various needs. “We have people who
have been living here for a long time but they are still Swedish citizens and
maybe receiving a Swedish pension from home. They need certification that they
are indeed alive and keeping well and the consulate helps them with that by
meeting with them to stamp and approve those certificates.” he said.
“Sweden just held elections, something very important to every Swede, so the
consulate was open and served as a polling station. We had almost 90 percent
participating in the election in September.”
The three honourable gentlemen raise their glasses
in a toast to H.M. King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej
of Thailand.
The consulate in Pattaya not only assists Swedish citizens and visitors in the
region, but also Thai citizens who want information about Sweden.
“On the whole, people enjoy it, or they wouldn’t come back,” Molin said of
Pattaya. “The city is larger than the surrounding areas and people settle here
for a good part of the year and sometimes the whole year.
“I am aware that there is a move to facilitate a way of looking at business
practices that have perhaps previously been problematic for some tourists, and
to have more transparency in business practices and clearer rules, etc. That is
something to be welcomed,” he said. “Safety and security are paramount to us so
I compliment the authorities on the very close relationship we have with the
Royal Thai Police and authorities of all kinds here. This is very important in
assuring that our citizens are treated well and that they can get the assistance
they need and expect.”
Sue Kukarja (PMTV), Kate Gerits (Holiday Inn
Pattaya), Ploy and Rene Pisters (Thai Garden Resort) enjoy the evening.
Molin said business issues also are a focus on the embassy and its consulates.
“Traditionally, we have a very good and active business community, with large
investments for the last 100 years. One of the first and largest to establish
here, originally in sales then later in investment, was Ericson, a well-known
telecom company. Since then many companies have followed suit, all the big
household names, but they are very happy to be here in manufacturing, assembly,
and exports,” he said.
Les Nyerges and Raine Grady (Capital TV) meet up
with Peter Malhotra (Pattaya Mail Media Group).
“Thailand has also emerged as a competitor and is moving successfully in many
areas, with added value, more services and skilled workers. Uncertainty is never
good for business and Swedish companies in Thailand are no exception to that
rule. So knowing as much as you can expect to know about development is
important. Legal framework, rule of law, etc., But that is the story of Thailand
historically and traditionally and, at times, there are difficulties, but they
have always been overcome and that is why companies are still here.”
Chatchawal Supachayanonont accepted his new position with a humble speech saying
that the appointment has given him personal privilege to be able to serve the
local Swedish community as well as the Swedish companies whilst fostering
friendship and promoting both royal nations to those who wish to visit and see
for themselves the beauty and magnificence that Thailand and Sweden are renowned
for the world over.
Alisa Phanthusak (Tiffany’s Show), Sue Kukarja
(PMTV) and Vanjie Lauzon (Dusit Thani Pattaya) enhance the evening’s festivities
with their beauty.
He said Pattaya itself has been selected by many Swedes as their second home or
a place where they can set up their own businesses and for those that are here
on a holiday. The city has now evolved into a place that has more to offer,
thanks to the tireless efforts of Pattaya officials in making sure that its
newly added attractions cater not only to our leisure visitors but also to the
family holidaymakers and business entrepreneurs.
On the same occasion, Dr. Sunya Viravaidya was awarded the Order of the Polar
Star by Ambassador Klas Molin on behalf of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden
and the Royal Swedish Government for his dedicated service as the Swedish consul
in Pattaya for the past ten years.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Sunya expressed his gratitude for this honor and
said it had been not just a privilege but also educational and a pleasure, as
for ten years in the position of honorary consul, he had come to know three
Swedish ambassadors, several embassy staff, and traveled to many parts of
Sweden.
David Shackleton (right), COO of Dusit International
was on hand to congratulate H.E. Chatchawal.
Dr Sunya pointed out some similarities between Thailand and Sweden, especially
that both have royal families, and the opposites that attract, such as climates.
“Socially, Swedes are polite, low key, and friendly. They are humble yet
confident, sensible, educated, and with a dry sense of humor. Professionally,
they are focused, hardworking, competitive, and sincere. They are democratic and
committed to doing the right thing,” he said.
It is a very advance society that Thais can learn a lot from especially today
when we are looking for change and the right way to the future.”
Note:
The Consulate opens Monday – Friday 0900 – 1200.
Services include passport applications, certificates and application for driving
licenses. Visa applications will be obtainable; however, all Schengen visa
applications must be submitted in person to the Embassy in Bangkok.
Contact:
+66-(0)38-424613
+66-(0)2-263 72 99 (after working hours)
Email: [email protected]
(l-r) Consul Chatchawal, Jan Bertil Eriksson and
Ambassador Molin.
H.E. Chatchawal (5th right) is congratulated by his
friends and colleagues from all segments of the business community.
Consul Chatchawal greets John A. Haerum, a Norwegian
long term resident of Pattaya.
Mr Phallop Thaiarry (left), MD Avis Thailand and
Viktor Sukseree, GM of Dusit Thani Hua Hin.
(l-r) Anna Stenberg, Maria Wennerstrom, Lars
Ryderstad, Birgitta Wennberg and Bo Wennberg.
(l-r) Nopporn Kanchanamanee ,Thai Airways
International, Pattaya, Srisodsai Sukavut and Vajaravudh Victor Sukseree,
Swedish Honorary Consul in Hua Hin
A proud moment for the entire family, Chatchawal’s
brother Thongchai (left) and sister Jira (right) attended this memorable
evening.
(l-r) Erik Roos, Ragnvald Seierstad (Sjomannsprest
Pattaya) and Bjorn Wennerstrom (Church of Sweden Bangkok).
Respected long resident of Pattaya Ulla Dohlon
assisted by her daughter the charming Inga Dohlan arrive for the reception.
(l-r) Dr. Hakan Alm (AIP International University,
Bangkok) Sue Kukarja (PMTV), Anders Lundquist (Pacific 2000 International
Recruitments), Viyada (Victoria) Tannawee (Pacific 2000 Siracha), Jan Eriksson
(President of Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce) and Christopher Berg.
(l-r) Pol.Lt.Col. Arun Promphan, Superintendent of
Pattaya’s Tourist Police, Chaowalit Sang-Utai, Permanant Secretary of Chonburi
Province and Rattanachai Suthidechanai , President of Tourism and Culture
Committee at Pattaya City Hall.
Khunying Songsuda and Dr. Suvit Yodmanee
congratulate the new Honorary Consul Chatchawal.
(l-r) Janya Rattanaliam, (Bangkok Pattaya Hospital),
Hakan Wallenions (Owne Thailands Posten), Fredrik Juuso (BHP), Liisa -Maija
Weckman (BHP) and Pedrenelle Maniquiz (BHP).
