Panga Vathanakul installed as honorary consul of the Russian Federation

May 21, 2004 by Michael Swart
Filed under General News

Trade and tourism relations to be furthered by the appointment

By Dr. Iain Corness

Pattaya has been an important tourist destination for the Russian people in the past decade, and it was the Royal Cliff Beach Resort that was in the forefront of introducing Pattaya and Thailand to Russia. It was natural that when the Russian Federation looked for representation here in Pattaya, they looked to the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and its managing director, Panga Vathanakul.

(l-r) Panga Vathanakul, Governor Pisit Ketphasook with his wife Samoekhae and H.E.Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko, Russian ambassador to Thailand at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Consul offices located at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

When a significant number of foreign nationals are involved in traveling to any destination, there are also a significant number of problems that may need diplomatic intervention, and it becomes necessary for the foreign countries to look to establishing diplomatic ties. This has been the case for the Scandinavian countries, the UK, Japan and many others, and now includes the Russian Federation.

(l-r) Dr. Norair Der Kerorkian, honorary consul of Armenia, Prayap Shinawatra, Panga Vathanakul, Porutai Shinawatra, Samerkae and Governor Pisit Ketphasook, Ambassador Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko and his wife Larissa.

The Russian ambassador to Thailand, HE Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko mentioned in his address, “Historically honorary consuls appeared in the practice of international relations even before regular consulates started to function. An appointment of an honorary consul usually indicates positive dynamics in developing bilateral relations. And it is exactly the case with the appointment of Mrs. Panga Vathanakul.”

Khun Panga is all smiles as she holds a bouquet of flowers presented to her by well-wishers.

Panga, in her official acceptance, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “By accepting this designation, I would like to express my strong belief in the importance of further enhancing the strong ties between our two nations.”

To celebrate the appointment, a spectacular reception was held at the Royal Cliff Grand, where Panga was congratulated by the guests which included Pisit Ketphasook, governor of Chonburi and his wife; Vladimir Pronin, consul of the Russian Federation; Payap Shinawatra, president of Shinawatra Thai Silk (brother of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra), Pol. Maj General Wichean and Mrs. Kingdao Potephosree (deputy chief of the Royal Court Security Police); Admiral Vichai Yuvanangkul, commander of the Sattahip Navy Base; Boonthai Issaraprateepratra, chief judge of Provincial Court, Region 2; Paisit Kanokvijyant, chief prosecutor of Region 2 and Lt. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 2.

Sophin Tappajug (right), Associate Judge of the Family and Juvenile court of Chonburi, greets Lt. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont and Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tienrungroj Chief of Pattaya Police and Gen. Nopporn Sangsuwarn.

Rising to the occasion, as usual, was executive chef Walter Thenisch, who in addition to the usually superb buffet, presented Russian dishes in honour of the Russian delegation including sawlianka soup, pelmeni - a kind of Russian style dumpling, rissoles in a dill flavored sour cream sauce and olubzic - cabbage wrapped meat balls and braised in spicy broth and topped with sliced onions.

Victor Kriventsov (left) with his Russian team at the ceremonies, (l-r) Michael Ilyin, director of Ilves Tour, Inga Zelenova, guest relations officer of the RCBR and Mrs. Yelena Ilyina.

So with many “dos vedanya’s” (the Russian ‘goodbye’ according to HE Yevgeny D. Ostrovenko) the guests departed, leaving their best wishes inscribed in the book left for that purpose. I wrote, “Khun Panga, being appointed honorary consul for the Russian Federation is indeed an honour for both Thailand and Russia. Congratulations!” I could think of nothing more fitting.

Original article at Pattaya Mail