New Swedish Ambassador to Thailand welcomed by community

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The timing could hardly have been better: Sweden’s new team members at its Mission in Thailand, including the new Ambassador, having just arrived to Bangkok, and the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) holding its first evening networking after the summer break.

And as these newly arrived Swedes were keen to connect with the Thai-Swedish business community with the evening sponsored by SAAB Group Asia Pacific, TSCC had the pleasure of seeing the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr Staffan Herrström; Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission Mrs Charlotta Schylter, and Counsellor and Head of Chancery Mr Olov Westergård as its honorary guests.

SAAB was represented by Kaj Rosander, Regional Director Gripen Export Asia.

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TSCC President Jan Eriksson (right) welcomes the Swedish Ambassador couple upon their arrival to the Chamber’s member networking at Huntsman’s in Bangkok.

The well-visited networking was held in the evening of 3 September 2015 at Huntsman’s Pub, Landmark, just around the corner of the Embassy of Sweden.

After walking around introducing the Ambassador H.E. Mr Staffan Herrström to the many guests and including TSCC Board members, TSCC’s Chamber President Jan Eriksson addressed the networking.

Following on the President’s warm welcome address to the new Ambassador, H.E. Staffan Herrström, with his spouse Mrs Karin Herrström by his side, held what was most likely his first public speech since his arrival to Thailand.

In response to Jan Eriksson encouraging him to outline his strategy and agenda as Sweden’s Head of Mission to Thailand, Staffan Herrström replied that doing that would be way too long and boring.

The Ambassador told the guests that he had only just begun his new ambassador posting, with day 3 ending at this networking. He had acquainted himself with the embassy team, which he deemed to be of high calibre, and said he was very much looking forward to working with them.

He mentioned the consular services offered in Thailand as very important, and so was the promotion of Sweden.

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Sweden’s new Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr Staffan Herrström holds his welcome speech, flanked by his wife, Mrs Karin Herrström, and TSCC President Jan Eriksson.

The Ambassador introduced his colleagues present, including the other newly arrived: Mrs Charlotta Schlyter, Mr Olov Westergård, Defence Attaché Lt Col Roger Nilsson, as well as the two new Swedish interns Katarina Eklund and Kirke Kyander.

Staffan Herrström also revealed that Bangkok had been the dream destination for him and his wife to go next, as ambassador couple, after Warsaw. While he had been appointed as ambassador to Vietnam previously that Asia stint had been way too short. They had really wanted to return to Asia, so this was the wish come true.

Kaj Rosander from SAAB then spoke and expressed hopes of a very good collaboration onwards with the Swedish government, and with the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, in their business and trade efforts for Swedish export.

Kaj briefly informed the networking the group’s focus on promoting the sales of radar systems, submarines as part of Sweden’s national strategic innovation programme.

President Jan ended the speeches by encouraging the networking guests to give a big hand to the new team members at the Embassy of Sweden.

 

About Joakim Persson

Freelance business and lifestyle photojournalist

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