Austrian Ambassador Johannes Peterlik and his family said goodbye to Thailand with a final stop at the Child Protection & Development Center in Pattaya.
Radchada Chomjinda, director of the Human Help Network Thailand, prepared the center’s multipurpose hall for the farewell lunch attended by the embassy’s consul general and a few Rotary Club presidents, plus children from the Mercy Center and Ban Jing Jai orphanage.
Ambassador Johannes Peterlik gives his farewell speech.
Peterlik completed his term as the country’s ambassador to Thailand Aug. 3.
Radchada expressed her gratitude toward the ambassador and his wife, who have helped the center during their four-year term. The children also thanked the ambassador and his family by performing a few dances. One featured almost-authentic Austrian costumes.
Peterlik said he and his family were happy to help the children.
“Two years ago, my wife had the idea to give Christmas presents to the children. Yet we didn’t want to do it the normal way,” he recalled. “The children were brought to a big toyshop and they could choose whatever they wanted, without looking at the price-tag. The two times we did this, were very special experiences for us as well as for the children and we will surly never forget it.”
Peterlik said Sumeth Sukapanpotharam, managing director of TM Design Co. and his wife will continue the Christmas campaign.
Consul General Rudolf Hofer thanked the ambassador during a interview with Pattaya Mail on TV. “Dr. Peterlik is a brilliant ambassador who retained his heart besides being a politician. I am very sure we will hear about his political advancement in the near future,” he said.
Peterlik said in his final interview with Pattaya Mail on TV that he left Thailand once before.
“When I was a child, my father was the ambassador of Austria in Thailand and, after four years, we had to leave. That time I promised myself to come back, which I did. Now I will promise the same, be it only for vacation or maybe again as a politician; one never knows.”
Ambassador Johannes Peterlik exchanges a gift with one of the performers.
The ambassador’s lovely wife Uschi Peterlik exchanges a gift with one of the dancers.
Director Radchada Chomjinda (front left) introduces some of her co-workers.
The children thank the ambassador and his family by performing a dance featuring Austrian costumes.
