On 6 September 2022 at 16.00, the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen together with the Copenhagen Zoo organized a reception to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Arrival of Thai Elephants in Denmark at the Elephant Hall in the Copenhagen Zoo. Approximately 130 distinguished guests attended the event, consisting of executives, patrons and staff of the Copenhagen Zoo, diplomatic corps, staffs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Friends of Thailand from various circles, and representatives of the Thai community in Denmark.

 

H.E. Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark, gave a welcoming speech highlighting the history of the Thai elephants in Denmark which symbolizes the close relationship between Thailand and Denmark from the royal family level to the people's level, the role of H.M. Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother in the conservation and protection of Thai elephants in honor of the 90th anniversary of Her Majesty’s birthday, as well as inviting participants to watch the exhibition which shows the importance of Thai elephants in the way of life of Thai people in various aspects. This was followed by a speech of Mr. Jørgen Nielsen, CEO of the Copenhagen Zoo, and Mr. Ove Ullerup, Chairman of the Asia House, who took this opportunity presenting to the zoo an elephant sculpture painted by Prince Henrik the Prince Consort.

Afterwards, Her Excellency the Ambassador. Mr. Jørgen Horwitz, Chairman of the Zoo Board and Mr. Ove Ullerup fed the Thai elephants at the Elephant House. This was followed by performances by Thai children's artists from the “Moradokmai” (New Heritage) group, under the supervision of Mr. Janaprakul Chandruang or “Kru Chang”, a Thai national artist, performing an elephant dance and contemporary Thai music during the reception where Thai food and Thai herbal drinks were served.

 

In addition, on Saturday 10 September 2022 from 10.00- 14.30, the Royal Thai Embassy organized Thai cultural shows and kids-friendly activities for children at the Elephant Hall in the Copenhagen Zoo, featuring dance performances by Rak Thai Association and the Thai community in Denmark, paper umbrellas and bookmark paintings as well as quizzes, that numbers of children and adults who visited the zoo were interested and participated in the activities. They also paid attention to the Thai elephants exhibition which are set to be displayed in the Elephant Hall from 6 to 18 September 2022.