On 3 March 2025, Her Excellency Ms. Nitivadee Manitkul, Ambassador of Thailand to Norway, joined with distinguished guests to preside over the opening ceremony of “the unveiling of Carl Bock’s bronze statue”, a Norwegian explorer, at the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Special guests who attended this event included Venerable Phraphromsitthi, Member of Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand and Abbot of Wat SaKet Ratchawora Mahawihan, Venerable Shi Ming Yi, Mahayana School of Buddhism and Professor Mette Halskov Hansen, Vice rector, University of Oslo. Ambassador of Myanmar to Oslo was also there.

 

Ambassador Nitivadee delivered the remarks on the event, expressing pleasure to learn about Mr. Carl Bock’s contribution to the study and documentation of Thailand’s cultural and natural heritage, which was portrayed in his written “Temples and Elephants Book."

 

Mr. Carl Bock served in the reign of King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V when he was in Thailand for 14 months.

 

Moreover, Ambassador Nitivadee also mentioned that the event was meaningful as Thailand and Norway celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, which reflects the shared commitment to foster cultural exchange.

 

After the opening ceremony, Ambassador Nitivadee also walked through the Carl Bock Exhibition which has been held inside the Museum of Cultural History.

 

Ambassador Nitivadee and Mrs. Aud Valborg Tønnessen, Director of the Museum of Cultural History also took this opportunity to invite Venerable Phraphromsitthi and the Thai monks in Norway to see the cultural heritage items in the Museum, which also portrays the “benjarong” set that was brought to Norway back in the 19th Century through the Norwegian sailor.