Whether for work, retirement, love or adventure, thousands of Danes are living all over Thailand. Isolated in bustling cities, far-off villages, and touristy beach towns, it can be hard to find community, and homesickness may creep in from time to time.
But on a small road in central Bangkok’s Lumpini district, a white three-story house stands ready to welcome every Dane inside: The Danish Church and Culture House. For the past year, Peter Romhild has been chairman here.
“We are a church, we perform all the religious practices one would expect,” Peter Romhild says. “But we are also so much more.”
A long life in Thailand
Peter Romhild and his wife, Elizabeth Romhild, have been living in Thailand for 38 years, and over the years, Peter has created a solid and expansive network. So when, in April 2025, it became time to pick a new chairman for the church council, Peter was the obvious candidate.
“I had officially retired from the corporate world after 52 years, and was looking forward to leaning back, but in the Danish Church and Culture House I saw a calling, and then I was right back to work,” Peter laughs. “As chairman, I have a chance to put my 38 years of experience in Thailand and my network to good use and help the Danish community.”
More than a church
The Danish Church in Thailand also functions as part cultural house and part community center, and there is space for everyone.
For new arrivals in Thailand, the church offers valuable networking opportunities, where people can socialize and build friendships. For Danes who have fallen on hard times, the church can offer help to get back on one’s feet again.
“We work closely with the Danish Embassy, Danes Worldwide and Thai Danish Chamber of Commerce, who are ex-officio members of our council,” Peter tells. “Danes Worldwide does an amazing job of counseling and helping expat. The Danish Embassy works with us on many social matters. Where they can’t step in, we help, and vice versa. We have a good partnership.”
Living in Thailand is very different from Denmark. Life can be chaotic, and people go through hard times, and here the church is ready to offer a helping hand.
“We are very fortunate to have a priest here full time, who is ready and willing to talk. Sometimes all you need to beat the homesickness and loneliness is someone to talk to, and we are happy to listen,” Peter says. “Should the circumstances be more dire, we can get in contact with a person’s family and friends back home. We are always willing to help, and where we cannot help, we can find someone who can.”
The past and the future
It’s been a year since Peter was elected chairman of the Danish Church and Culture House, and since then he has helped to promote and organise events like the Danish Christmas bazaar, together with Danish Women’s Network, and church meetups for the Danish communities in Pattaya and Phuket.
“I am incredibly proud of the work that the Danish Church in Thailand does, and it is an honour to serve as chairman,” Peter says.
As for the future, Peter is not short of ideas.
The usual events for the holidays are being planned, and monthly church services will be held. The church doors are open, both for booking for private events and public events. Peter and the council are planning musical gatherings and lectures open to anybody interested in stopping by.
A big challenge for the church over the past year has been funding. Previously, The Danish Church Abroad was financing most expenses for the church; however, last year it was announced that funding would be cut, leaving a lot more pressure on the Danish Church in Thailand to sustain itself. It has not been easy, but Peter and the church have found solutions.
“I am proud to say that we have managed to find sponsors and private donors willing to fund the important work we do here at the church. We are not entirely there, but I am very grateful for all who are willing to help,” Peter says.
A Danish Oasis in Bangkok’s Chaos
For Danish expats in Thailand, it can be hard to be so far from the motherland. Homesickness and loneliness creep in. But that is why the Danish Church exists.
“We are a community center. We are a place where we can come together around our Danish values and share our values with each other,” Peter Romhild smiles. “I have seen and felt firsthand how important that is. In a world as chaotic as ours, we have to stick together and take care of each other.”
From those living in the bustling cities to the far-off villages and the touristy beach towns, the little white three-story house on a side street in Lumpini District is ready to welcome everyone.
