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PM Samak celebrates the fine taste of Australia
Newly elected Prime Minister H.E.Samak Sundaravej attended his first formal reception since assuming office to celebrate Australia Day, at a function hosted by Australia’s Ambassador to Thailand, HE William Paterson PSM, at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel on 4 February.
PM Samak showed keen interest in the range of delectable fresh foods and wines sourced from all over Australia – including South Australian Kingfish and Pacific Yellowfin tuna, Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, Pacific oysters, Queensland avocados, a selection of Australian cheese and a wide range of Australian fine wine and fresh juices, all orchestrated by the hotel’s Australian executive chef, Lucas Glanville. Ambassador Paterson gave PM Samak a recipe book highlighting Australian seafood from Sydney’s ‘Pier’ Restaurant. Another highlight of the Australia Day reception was the showcasing of three high-end Australian fashion labels, Natasha, Manning Cartel and Bettina Liano. The three brands are now available in Thailand, thanks to Polita, a local fashion outlet owned by the famous Thai-Australian model, Paula Taylor.
In his welcome speech, Ambassador Paterson congratulated PM Samak on his new appointment.
“We welcome the return of elected democratic government in Thailand. As a close regional partner, Australia looks forward to developing a strong relationship with the new Thai government,” the Ambassador said.
The Australia Day reception was well attended by over 650 guests from politics, business, culture and the arts, and education, underscoring the many facets of the relationship between Australia and Thailand.
Among the guests of honour were Privy Councillors General Pichit Kullavanich, and H.E.ACM Siddhi Savetsila; Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niumpradit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence General Winai Phattiyakul, former President of the National Assembly Dr Bhokin Bhalakula, Deputy Governor of Bank of Thailand Dr. Bandid Nijathaworn.and several members of the Chirathivat family including Chairman Group’s Chairman Khun Vanchai Chirathivat, President of Central Pattana Plc Khun Kobchai Chirathivat and Khun Busaba Chirathivat, SVP (Corporate Communications) Central Retail Corporations.
The Australia Day 2008 celebration was proudly hosted by the Australian Embassy Bangkok and sponsored by Akara mining & Kingsgate Consolidate, Tourism Australia, Siam City Bank, Bloom, University of New South Wales, BlueScope Steel, Blackmores, Clough, Jurlique, Natures Organics, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Thai Airways International, Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Fine Wine, Bovis Lend Lease, CB Richard Ellis, IDP Education Services, Global Turf Consulting, PASA Study Abroad, Further Education, Linfox M Logistic, Oxiana, Metropolitan Hotel, Sukhothai Hotel and QBE Insurance (Thailand).