Farewell Message from

H.E. Nitivadee Manitkul

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Norway

 

The last Thai Ambassador to Norway during the reign of His Majesty King Harald V, and the first Thai Ambassador to Norway during the reign of His Majesty King Haakon VIII

 

As my tenure as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Norway will come to an end on 30 September 2026, I would like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to all Thai communities residing in Norway and Iceland.

 

Although my tenure as Ambassador to Oslo has lasted only two years and five months, which may not seem like a long period of time, I am deeply grateful and pleased to have had the opportunity during this relatively short period to undertake numerous activities to promote and further strengthen relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Norway. I am also honoured to have been part of several important chapters in Norway’s history, sharing in moments when the Norwegian people experienced both their greatest happiness and their deepest sorrow.

 

I am therefore particularly proud to have participated in the final stages of negotiations leading to the conclusion of the Thailand–European Free Trade Association (Thailand–EFTA) Free Trade Agreement, of which Norway is a member. I also worked to help advance the ratification of the Agreement by the Thai Parliament. The Agreement is expected to enter into force in early 2027. It will be Thailand’s first Free Trade Agreement with European countries and is expected to further promote trade and investment while facilitating business activities between the peoples of Thailand and the EFTA countries, particularly creating greater opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

 

High-level exchanges of visits are another important symbol reflecting the development of relations between our two countries. In the 15 years prior to my arrival in Norway, there had been no visits to Norway by Thai ministers. I therefore sought opportunities to facilitate such visits, with the aim of keeping Thailand on the radar of Norway as a country with considerable potential for trade, investment, and tourism.

 

In February 2025, Mr. Julapun Amornvivat, then Deputy Minister of Finance of Thailand, visited Norway and held discussions with representatives of both the Norwegian public and private sectors.

 

Most gratifyingly, in September 2026, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, who was graciously appointed as the Royal Representative to attend the funeral ceremonies for His Majesty King Harald V, visited Norway. This marked the first visit at such a high level in more than 35 years. Such a high-level visit carries significant meaning for the continued development of relations between our two countries.

 

The year 2025 was also a particularly significant year in Thai–Norwegian diplomatic relations, marking the 120th anniversary of our diplomatic ties.

 

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all Thai people, both in Thailand and Norway, as well as our Norwegian friends, who participated in the charity walk and run organised to commemorate the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the generous contributions made through this activity to the 120th Anniversary of Thai–Norwegian Diplomatic Relations Fund, which supports underprivileged patients through the Siriraj Foundation at Siriraj Hospital.

 

Through your participation, you not only became part of an important chapter in the history of our bilateral relations, but also had the opportunity to come together in support of a meaningful charitable cause.

 

In addition to the charity run, I would also like to thank everyone who joined the 120th Anniversary of Thai–Norwegian Diplomatic Relations celebration held in November 2025 at Oslo City Hall, one of Norway’s most historically significant landmarks and the venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

It was the first time that the Royal Thai Embassy had hosted such a significant commemorative event at this historic venue. The occasion was honoured by the presence of the State Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Norway and the Mayor of Oslo as Guests of Honour.

 

Over the past two and a half years, I have made every effort to engage in consultations and exchanges with representatives from the Norwegian public sector, private sector, and academic community. I have had the honour of paying courtesy calls on the President of the Storting, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy, and Higher Education, as well as the State Secretaries (Deputy Ministers) of Trade, Fisheries, and Defence. I also had the opportunity to meet with governors and local leaders in several important locations, including Svalbard, Trondheim, Arendal, Tromsø, Stavanger, and Kristiansand, as well as the Deputy Governors of Bergen and Bodø.

I was also deeply honoured to have the opportunity to meet Thai communities in various parts of Norway, from the far north to the far south. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who has kindly supported the work of the Royal Thai Embassy in many ways, including during the overseas elections. Your support and cooperation have contributed greatly to the successful implementation of the Embassy’s various activities.

 

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many Thai associations and community groups whose dedicated volunteers have generously supported the Embassy in carrying out its missions. This includes their invaluable contributions to the celebration of Thailand’s National Day in 2024 and to initiatives promoting Thailand’s cultural heritage for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These occasions have demonstrated the dedication, unity, and solidarity of the Thai community in Norway, which have been greatly admired and appreciated.

 

Finally, I feel deeply honoured and privileged to have shared in the joy and pride of the Norwegian people during the summer of 2026, when Norway qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 28-year wait. It was a remarkable moment that reflected the strong sense of unity and togetherness of the Norwegian people.

I would also like to once again express my deepest condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. His Majesty had graciously granted me the privilege of meeting with him personally on two occasions. For this reason, I felt a profound sense of sorrow, one that was deeply shared with the people of Norway.

I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have served in Norway during such a historic period in the nation’s history. I feel especially honoured to have been the last Ambassador of Thailand to present credentials to His Majesty King Harald V, and to have had the privilege of bidding farewell to His Majesty King Haakon VIII when he was still Crown Prince, as well as attending the ceremony at which he took the oath upon ascending the throne as King of Norway.

 

May the enduring friendship and close relations between Thailand and Norway continue to flourish and prosper for generations to come.

Alt for Norge