IN THE Limelight
Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden recently presided over two events at the Nai Lert Park
USNISA SUKHSVASTI
HRH Princess Chulabhorn is welcomed by Bilaibhan Sampatisiri. |
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden are joined by HRH Princess Soamsawali and HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha to view postcards written by children presenting their best wishes to the King and Queen of Sweden. |
The Nai Lert Park Bangkok was a hive of royal activity last week when Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden presided at two special events at noon and in the evening.
The lunch event, titled "Thai-Sweden Relationship: Hope Keeps Shining on Everyone" was hosted by the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Soamsawali.
On hand to welcome Their Majesties, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, were HRH Princess Soamsawali and her daughter, HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
King Carl XVI Gustaf graciously allowed Queen Silvia to preside at the lunch at Princess Soamsawali's table, while he took a more low-key role, seated at the adjacent table with Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
The event started with a speech by Methinee Pongvej, president of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women, followed by a video presentation on the work of the association.
Queen Silvia then addressed the gathering on the cooperation between her own World Childhood Foundation, founded in 1999 to help the most vulnerable children worldwide, and those who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. In Thailand, Childhood works with APSW to strengthen the rights of street children, abused girls and young mothers, helping them live a normal and secure life.
Her Majesty has also been active in fighting against commercial exploitation and has successfully made it a national agenda.
Her Majesty also drew attention to the concern many donors have by emphasizing that administrative expenses for the foundation are fully covered by specific donations, so general donations go to help children. The queen ended with a pledge for the next three years to support APSW.
During lunch, a chorus of five young children sang inspiration songs, joined at the end by four young children from the APSW.
In the evening, HRH Princess Chulabhorn was on hand to welcome Their Majesties to the ballroom for the launch of "The Royal Napkins" hosted by The World Scout Foundation, Thailand Chapter. As a bit of background, the Royal Napkins is a second step in a series, which started three years ago with the launch of the Royal Tablecloths to mark the 60th birthday of King Carl XVI Gustaf. Queen Silvia designed a tablecloth using the traditional Swedish weave to raise funds for the World Scout Foundation. The Royal Napkins have now been added to the set, woven into a pattern with HM the King's monogram and the emblem of the World Scout Foundation.
As a great honour to Thailand, the production of the Royal Napkins was assigned to Pasaya who produced 20,000 pieces for global sale at 104 (5,000 baht) per piece, 60 (3,000 baht) of which will be donated to the World Scout Foundation.
On this occasion, King Carl XVI Gustaf graciously allowed proceeds from sales of the Royal Napkins in Thailand to go to the World Scout Foundation, Thailand Chapter.
The evening started with a Thai Blessing dance, followed by Khon masked dance. A "Diva Concert" with Napada Sukrit and Rudglao Amaratish ensued, and Napada kept the entire room enthralled as she sang La Vie En Rose without the aid of a microphone.
A lively session followed, with a luk thung cabaret show starring Arphaporn Nakhon Sawan and Jonas Anderson.
Rounding off the evening was a song from Ravivan Chinda, with a flourish in the form of the world-famous song Auld Lang Syne, sung by 16 scouts, with everyone joining in for a memorable end to the evening.
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