His Royal Highness Prince Henrik, The Prince Consort of Denmark performed on Friday 10 March 2012 the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Hotel Mermaid Bangkok. Prince Henrik performed first the official opening with cutting of the ribbon on the red carpet leading from Sukhumvit Soi 29 into the reception area of the hotel. Next followed a more informal inauguration in the Admiral’s Pub, where Prince Henrik rang an old ships bell wearing an old captain’s cap.
“I wish you every success with the hotel,” Prince Henrik told Jorgen Lundbak and Peter Singh Singhsachthep who showed His Royal Highness around the hotel. Peter Sing Singsachthep is co-investor in the Mermaid Hotel Bangkok and a third generation Indian with family roots in Thailand dating back to 1904.
During the tour of the premises, Prince Henrik showed special interest in the wine cellar of the hotel, and was offered a wine shelf of his own.
After the tour, the 60 distinguished guests were all invited for a buffet dinner in the Admiral’s restaurant next to the pub. Here, Prince Henrik met several of his friends with whom he has sailed in previous Phuket King’s Cup Regatta but told them that he was not planning to come back to sail in the regatta again.
By the end of the evening, His Royal Highness continued his journey back to Denmark. The Prince had arrived Bangkok only hours before from a visit to China, where he had inaugurated the new SAS route to Shanghai, and the stop-over was arranged on his way back.
