It was Friday evening, so to speak, 'full house' at restaurant Chef Cha on the border of Hua Hin and Chaam. More than 100 Dutch people and their partners met our highest Dutch representative in Thailand, Remco van Wijngaarden (55). He was there at the invitation of the Dutch Hua Hin/Cha am Association (NVTHC).
When asked, the new ambassador stated that he has now been accepted in Thailand as ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but that the official handover to the Thai king will not take place until April. The bureaucratic mills don't turn that fast here and Vajiralongkorn only receives new ambassadors in April and November.
In his speech, Van Wijngaarden drew attention to the terrible state of affairs in Ukraine. He then explained his diplomatic life in numerous countries, most recently as Consul General in Shanghai, China. In recent months he has enjoyed working as the highest representative of our country in Thailand. During this 'meet and greet', Van Wijngaarden talked to numerous Dutch people present, while consular embassy employee Guido Verboeket answered countless questions about life certificates, visas and passports. Broker Arnold Ruijs then told about his/the good life in Hua Hin.
According to NVTHC chairman Do van Drunen, the evening was a resounding success, also because the extensive buffet was offered by the embassy. After the official part, a large part of those present continued to chat. At the end of the evening, the NVTHC was able to add five new members, bringing the total number of members to one hundred.
Photos Patrick Franssen
About this blogger
- Almost 20 years ago, journalist Hans Bos moved to Bangkok. Almost from the beginning, he was involved in the birth of Thailandblog. As a journalist, he worked for Limburg newspapers and for the travel trade journals of what was once called Elsevier. Hans (76) has lived in Hua Hin for 14 years, with his wife Raysiya and daughter Lizzy. He was secretary and vice-chairman of the Dutch association in Hua Hin and Cha Am for about nine years.
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I got to meet him in Khon Kaen last December (again)
He made a professional impression on me and took the trouble to personally contact me and my 2 children, which was much appreciated.
Professional Impression level 9