Already serving as the honorary consul for Austria, Rudolf Hofer was recently promoted to honorary consul for the German embassy in Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard as well.
German Ambassador H.E. Rolf Schulze presented Mr. Hofer with the certification from German President Joachim Gauck and the validation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on June 8.
The newly appointed honorary consul of Germany Rudolf Hofer.
A celebration was held at the Hilton Hotel Pattaya and many guests attended, including German Ambassador H.E. Rolf Schulze and his wife Petronella, Austrian Ambassador H.E. Enno Drofenik, Peer Gebauer, deputy head of mission for the German embassy, his wife Sonja who emceed the event, Dr. Gustav Gressel, commercial counselor at the Austrian embassy, Phongsakdi Chakshuvej, president of the Thai-German Chamber of Commerce, his vice president Dr. Florian Kirschner, Jörg Buck, the director of the Thai-German Chamber of Commerce, and Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh.
It was an emotional moment for Mr. Hofer when Schulze read letters from the German president and HM the King and passed them on to him.
Ambassador Schulze praised Mr. Hofer’s work, noting he already has worked for many years as the liaison for the German embassy in the east. He also disclosed that his own term as ambassador in Thailand is going to end soon.
German Ambassador H.E. Rolf Schulze gives Rudolf Hofer his credentials.
Mr. Hofer thanked the ambassador and said that the work as honorary consul is not new, since he has done it for years for Austria.
“Yet … there are many more things we have to do, like visiting Germans and Austrians who are imprisoned here or are in hospitals,” he said. He also mentioned that he has citizenship in both countries. “My mother raised me the Prussian way and my from my father I inherited a bit of Viennese charm.”
Mr.Hofer also thanked his longstanding assistant, honorary vice-consul of Austria Sriwanna Jitprasert.
Austrian Ambassador H.E. Enno Drofenik congratulated Mr. Hofer and said, “It is my pleasure that Germany and Austria are working so closely together.”
Honorary-Consul Rudolf Hofer (centre) with ambassador H.E. Enno Drofenik (left) and ambassador H.E. Rolf Schulze (right).
Deputy Mayor Ronakit said both embassies and Mr. Hofer are of great help to Pattaya. The deputy mayor said people are alike no matter what position or status they have and he is always very happy to have discussions with foreign expats. He promised that the city would take special care of German and Austrian nationalities who live or work in Pattaya and the eastern seaboard. Pattaya Mail MD Peter Malhotra acted as interpreter, translating the deputy mayor’s speech.
