The national day of Norway, May 17, was supposed to begin at 8 am, but due to heavy rain it was not possible to gather everyone and raise the flag until 8.30 at the Scandinavian Church. But then the sun came out for the Norwegian celebrations
A blessed breakfast
The breakfast buffet was very Norwegian consisting of home baked goods, smoked salmon, Norwegian cheese and aquavit. After breakfast, the Norwegian priest from Pattaya, Lars Haugan blessed the national day. He had traveled from Pattaya with approximately 12 other Norwegians for the festivities in Bangkok among those a pianist who accompanied the songs. Approximately 100 other Norwegians – half of them children – showed up for the breakfast in the garden of the Scandinavian Church in Bangkok.
Speakers and players
At 11 am another 100 Norwegians had joined the early risers for the procession from the Embassy Residence in Sukhumvit Soi 38. The procession was led by a 15-man Thai brass band.
After the procession, the ambassador, Merete Brattested welcomed her countrymen and conveyed a greeting from H.M. King Harald. She also took the opportunity of thanking the May 17 Committee on their work. She the introduced the two junior speakers, Mathias and Sofie Møller, who brilliantly celebrated the Norwegian independence from its Scandinavian neighbors.
The menu was children friendly as it was hotdogs and ice cream. The brass band played the national anthem as well as some jazzy garden party tunes.
The residential celebrations were finalized by games and competitions.
