On 11 May, nearly 400 longstanding EU partners from all sectors came together for a 'Friends of Europe’ reception, hosted by the EU Delegation to Thailand (EUD) at Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok. Ambassadors of EU Member States and the wider diplomatic community, Privy Councilor, officials from various ministries and government agencies, representatives from political parties, EU-Thailand business partners, members of civil society organisations, cultural institutions, press, academics and scholars, and local partners were invited to celebrate Europe Day 2023 and over 60 years of EU-Thailand diplomatic relations.

H.E. Mr David Daly, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, and H.E. Mr Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered remarks jointly lauding the blossoming relationship between the EU and Thailand. Ambassador Daly called for a toast to His Majesty the King of Thailand and the people of Thailand, which was returned with a toast to the EU and its people by the President of the Senate.

At the reception, a string quartet of students from the College of Music, Mahidol University played the EU anthem ‘Ode to Joy’ as well as a repertory of classical European pieces, while Ukrainian musical trio MikJoVik performed Ukrainian traditional folk songs. A video montage presenting a snapshot of past EU-Thailand partnership initiatives was also showcased.

Observed every 9 May, Europe Day is the EU’s annual celebration of peace, solidarity, diversity and unity, in the spirit of the Schuman declaration of 1950. Other celebratory events this month in Thailand included a tree planting ceremony at Lumphini Park on 9 May and the EU Sustainable Food & Craft Market at Museum Siam on 20 May.

The transcript of Ambassador Daly’s speech can be read here.