This weekend, the 1-2 of March, the 47th Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar took place in one of Asia’s largest shopping malls, Siam Paragon. The bazaar is an annual joint collaboration between diplomatic spouses in Thailand and the Thai Red Cross Society.
As the Executive Vice President of the Society, Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, oversaw the inauguration ceremony of the bazaar on March 1. The aim was to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society to support its work in helping victims of natural disasters as well as children and adults experiencing hardship throughout the country. Following the cutting of the ribbon to open the event, the Princess was given a tour of the bazaar, stopping at the Danish section, where she was greeted by Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther and Madam Ratanawadee Hemniti Winther.
The Ambassador, his wife and a small delegation from the Danish Embassy accompanied H.R.H. on her tour of the Danish section. She showed particular interest in the colorful kitchenware products sold by the distributors, Paradox and Scanproducts, as well as theUrtekram certified organic care series available from Ellegaard Trading. Subsequently, the Ambassador and his wife presented the Princess with the gift of a unique bracelet from theDanish jewelry company, Pandora.
This year Denmark was well represented at the bazaar with a total of ten booths selling a multitude of products. The Danish footwear company, Ecco, which has a factory just outside of Bangkok, presented the latest in comfort technology with a collection of shoes ranging from sports and casual to formal. Pandora displayed a wide selection of stunning jewelry, and at Eurosia Foods, one was able to taste a myriad of Danish cheeses.
Embassy staff and Madam Ratanawadee Hemniti Winther could be seen wearing traditional Danish national costumes, while the company employees manning the booths were dressed in the Danish colors topped with Viking hats. Numerous performances were scheduled for the weekend, and Ambassador Winther could be found commencing Saturday’s festivities at the main stage with a brief rock ‘n roll concert in collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy Band. The Danish Embassy’s very own political trainee, Kasper Rask, who is already an accomplished musician within the punk and ska genres, accompanied the Ambassador on bass.
Source: Denmark in Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (words and photos)
