Inauguration Speech by Mr. Thongchai Wongrianthong (in Thai)

For the Official Opening of Art Exhibition by Artists from ASEAN Countries on
“Identities VS Globalization?”
6th February 2004
The Art Museum, Chiang Mai University

Your Excellency Mr. Andreas von Stechow, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand
The Consuls and Representatives of the Consulates in Chiang Mai
Distinguished Artists from ASEAN
Achan Uthit Atimana, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts in charge of the Art Museum, Chiang Mai University
Dr. Jorg Löschmann, Curator, the Heinrich Böll Foundation
Teachers and all distinguished guests

It is to my greatest honor to be invited to deliver this speech on behalf of the Chiang Mai Provincial Administration for the official opening of the Art Exhibition “Identities VS Globalization?” organized by the Heinrich Böll Foundation - Thailand & South East Asia Regional Office in conjunction with the Art Museum, Chiang Mai University today.

Having listened to the speeches by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts in charge of the Art Museum and the Exhibition Curator of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, I genuinely appreciate these outstanding objectives and efforts to bring together artworks by artists from ten countries in ASEAN for this exhibition in Chiang Mai province. This event is of significance, as it reinforces the atmosphere of international art appreciation in the province. It will also be of great service to students and the general public, as the artists, through their works, illustrate thought-provoking social issues in line with the theme of the exhibition.

I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the Heinrich Böll Foundation, as the organizer of this event, the Art Museum for offering the venue and all participating artists who have contributed to the exhibition. I thank all distinguished guests, particularly Khun Andreas von Stechow, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and Khun Hagen Dirksen, the German Consul in Chiang Mai who are present here today for the inauguration. I wish that all noble objectives of the organizers shall be met.

At this auspicious time for the inauguration, I would like to call upon Your Excellency Mr. Andreas von Stechow, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Thailand, and the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts in charge of the Art Museum, Chiang Mai University to cut the ribbon and may I invite all distinguished guests to stand witness the occasion, please.