On 26 July 2022, H.E. Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark, presided over the ceremony of presentation of the Friend of Thai Science Award 2022 to Professor Dr. Henrik Balslev, a Danish botanist from the University of Aarhus who has been nominated by the Botanical Society under the Royal Patronage of HM the Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand. On this occasion, Her Excellency the Ambassador and Mr. Theerakun Niyom, Ambassador’spouse, hosted a luncheon to congratulate and thank Professor Balslev for his notable contribution to develop knowledge and skills of many generations of Thai botanical professionals, including his support in advancing Thai botanical science. Dr. Sethapan Krajangwongs, Minister Counsellor, Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation in Brussels, who has an important role in initiating the award and selecting the awardee, witnessed the ceremony together with the Embassy’s officials, distinguished guests from the academia and Professor Balslev’s family.

Professor Dr. Balslev has worked closely with agencies and institutions of botanical education in Thailand for over 30 years. He was the advisor who supported the establishment of the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden in Mae Rim District of Chiang Mai Province. He assisted in providing several short-term grants from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) to botanists from the Botanic Garden and to botanists of the Royal Forest Department who came to visit and conduct brief plant species studies in Denmark.

In addition, Professor Dr. Balslev has coordinated 10-year research grants from the Carlsberg Foundation of Denmark to support the Flora of Thailand Project, an international plant taxonomic study project, to study and review about 10,000 species of Thai vascular plants and to complete the publication of a book on Thai flora by 2024.

Professor Dr. Balslev is co-author on numerous research papers and has published research papers on plant species discovered in Thailand. And thus, he supervised and supported many Thai botanists and students in doctoral degrees. He also advised, collaborated and continuously provided a large amount of research funds until present. He is considered a contributor who made the botanical science of Thailand to be able to develop by leaps and bounds, particularly by launching and advancing the Thailand Botanical Project, which is expected to be fully completed within the next two years. Professor Dr. Balslev is, therefore, well-deserved to receive this year's honorary award from the Thai government.