On 21 September 2013, H.E. Mr. Somchai Charanasomboon, Ambassador of Thailand to Sweden, in his capacity as Chairman of the ASEAN Heads of Missions in Stockholm, presided over the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Food and Handicraft Day 2013 co-organized by the 5 ASEAN Embassies in Stockholm at the Royal Thai Embassy and the Embassy of Malaysia.  In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Somchai mentioned the establishment of ASEAN in 1967 (46 years ago) in Bangkok, development of ASEAN, and the move toward the ASEAN Community in 2015.  The event was aimed to promote social and cultural ties between ASEAN members in Sweden as well as to raise the awareness of ASEAN in Sweden and to enhance understanding between Swedish and ASEAN peoples.

     After the opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Somchai and his wife, Mrs. Viyada, as well as the other ASEAN Heads of Missions in Stockholm and their spouses sang together “the ASEAN Way” song and, along with the dignitaries, visited the handicraft and food booths of the 5 ASEAN countries.

     The ASEAN Food and Handicraft Day 2013 received an overwhelming response.  Approximately 500 people joined the event.  There were both Swedish and ASEAN peoples as well as dignitaries from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and other embassies in Stockholm who came along to enjoy a number of activities of the event.  Apart from authentic and delicious food and beautiful handicrafts from 5 ASEAN countries, there were also ASEAN cultural performances and lucky draws keeping the participants entertained.