On 6 May 2023, the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen, together with the Museum Østjylland, organized the opening ceremony of the Siamese Collection Museum under the new name "Treasures of Siam" in Ebeltoft. H.E. Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark, gave an opening speech with Mr. Heine Skovbak Iversen, Deputy Mayor of Syddjurs Municipality in charge of Ebeltoft, and Mr. Jesper Bækgaard, Director of Museum Østjylland, in a reception organized at the Kulturloft in Ebeltoft. There were about 100 guests attended the reception, including descendants of Mr. Rasmus Peter Havmøller, founder of the Siamese Collection, and Mrs. Boonsri Havmøller, his Thai wife.
Her Excellency the Ambassador thanked the Syddjurs Municipality and the Museum Østjylland as well as all those involved in the reopening of the “Treasures of Siam” to the public after two years of renovation. She also paid tribute to Mr. Havmøller, the founder of the museum for his vision in bringing more than 1,600 artefacts of his collections, obtained while working in Siam between 1914 - 1933 as an employee of the East Asiatic Company, to open as a museum in the small seaside town of Ebeltoft, one of the most beautiful cities in Denmark. She further emphasized that the museum has played a significant role in introducing Thailand to Danish residents in Ebeltoft and surrounding areas since 1940, showing that Thai and Danish people have known each other and had close connectivity for a long time.
In addition, Her Excellency the Ambassador also reminded the participants of the relationship between Thailand and Denmark which lasts more than 400 years since their first contact, noting that 2023 marks the 165th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Denmark. The co-organization of this event with the Syddjurs Municipality and the Museum Østjylland is an opportunity to commemorate the 165 years of close friendship between the two countries.
In the reception, there were food stalls of Thai delicacies and fruit carvings by Thai communities from the Thai Heritage Group-Aarhus, as well as Thai traditionnal dance performances “Ram Chui Chai Benyakai” and “ Fon Khan Dok” conducted by performers of the Thai Heritage Group-Aarhus. Thai souvenirs and tourism brochures were also distributed to distinguished guests. These received a lot of attention and admiration of the guests who attended the event.
After the reception around 12.00, Her Excellency the Ambassador, Mr. Iversen, Deputy Mayor of Ebeltoft, Mr. Jesper Bækgaard, Director of the Museum Østjylland, distinguished guests and the Thai community participated in a long drum parade down the walking street (Adelgade) in the center of Ebeltoft to the museum’s building. The Ambassador together with Mr. Iversen, Deputy Mayor of Ebeltoft, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Siamese Collection museum under the new name “Treasures of Siam”. After the opening, Thai traditional performances were conducted in the courtyard of the museum by Thai performers of the Thai Heritage Group-Aarhus which attracted many guests and tourists and made a great impression to them about Thai art and cultural heritage. The local media of Syddjurs reported details of the event which can be followed via the link https://syddjurs.lokalavisen.dk/.../festlig-aabning-af.../
The Royal Thai Embassy wishes to take this opportunity to thank the Syddjurs Municipality, the Museum Østjylland, the Thai- Heritage Group Aarhus, the troupe of performers, as well as the entire Thai community for their efforts and contributions to the success of the opening ceremony of the Treasures of Siam Museum, and to extend invitation to everyone to visit the beautiful city of Ebeltoft and the Museum to look back at the old Siam which is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 – 16.00. hrs.