Mr. Sompong Saunganbun, Minister, and Ms. Orathai Phubunlap, Second Secretary, represented the Royal Thai Embassy to participate in the Days of Thailand in Yekaterinburg, capital of Sverdlovsk Region in the Ural region, from 12-14 October 2010, organized by SIAM company ( a Thai spa and massages company, FederalPress News Agency and its partners, with the support of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Moscow Office, and the Sverdlovsk Region Government. The representatives of the Royal Thai Embassy took part in the following activities:
- the Opening of the Photo Exhibition: “Thailand: two capitals — Bangkok and Chiang Mai” at which about 50 Russians, including local press and members of “Thailand Fan Club”, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s project attended;
- The Opening of the Thai Cuisine Festival at which about 50 Russians joined. After the opening ceremony, there was a demonstrating of Thai cuisine cooking ( Tom Yom Kung and Pat Thai);
- The Opening of the Thai Films Festival in which about 30 Russian youths and local press joined.
During the said event, Minister Sompong delivered remarks at the opening ceremonies and gave interviews to local press of the Sverdlovsk Region; among them were the Region’s TV Channels 2, 4 and 10, FederalPress Information Agency, Radio Station “ Pilot” ( live interview), National Business Magazine and the press briefing before the Thai Cuisine Festival. The gist of the remarks and interviews are to enhance a better understanding about Thailand in Russia by emphasizing that (1) Chiang Mai is the second largest city and important as it is the 700 years old capital of the northern part of Thailand which is full of culture; (2) Thai food carries its uniqueness since they have been created by the combination in a well-balance of variety of tastes — sweet, sour , spicy and salty; and (3) Thai films can well reflect the Thai culture both in the form and substance. Minister Sompong also mentioned, besides Thailand’s beauty and warm beaches and sea, the country also has other significance in tourism sphere such as beautiful mountains, medical treatment, venues for international conference and exhibitions which are the strength of the country’s tourism industry. Besides, Thailand can also offer other industries that meet the basic human’s need, medical care and treatment, including films industry, which Russians can enjoy.
The organization of the Days of Thailand in Yekaterinburg marks the first of the historical relations between Thailand and the Sverdlovsk Region. The activities help promote Thailand and Thai Culture in the Region and contribute to a better understanding of Thailand and its creative image among the Russians in the Sverdlovsk Region as well as in the Ural region.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th