THE NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2008
REPORT BY MALAWAKIL
1. This year’s Merdeka Reception was held at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok. It was held on Monday, 1 September 2008 which also coincided with the first day of Ramadhan. The event commenced with a breaking of fast session at 6.30 p.m., before proceeding for Maghrib prayers. The actual reception started at 7.00 p.m.
2. Approximately 510 guests were present including His Excellency Mr. Samak Sundaravej, the then Prime Minister of Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Tej Bunnag, the former Foreign Minister of Thailand, Permanent Secretary of Defence, Gen. Winai Phattiyakul, Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corp, Thai government officials, members of the Malaysian and Thai business communities, and Malaysian students in Bangkok.
3. The reception received an all-rounded praise by attendees especially on the Malaysian cuisine served. The event was also reported in the social event section of Bangkok Post and in a major Thai language newspaper. It was also captured on camera by a television crew who was working on a documentary on Malaysia-Thai relations.
Malawakil Bangkok
19 September 2008