The event, at the new consulate, located at the J.D. Pools branch in Moo 9, Thepkrasattri, was well attended by distinguished guests.
The Hungarian Consulate in Phuket is responsible for a consular district that includes the six provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Surat Thani.
Thanusak Phungdej, appointed by the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and approved by Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, serves as the Honorary Consul of Hungary at the Phuket consulate.
His mission is to assist Hungarian citizens traveling in the area, facilitate business cooperation for Hungarian companies in Thailand and promote economic, trade, cultural, scientific and tourism relations between Thailand and Hungary.
In his remarks, Mr Thanusak highlighted the longstanding diplomatic relations between Thailand and Hungary, which will mark their 51st anniversary on Oct 25, 2024.
He noted the increasing number of Hungarian tourists and business people visiting Thailand, with nearly 28,000 Hungarians visiting in 2023. Conversely, approximately 9,400 Thais travel to Hungary annually.
Thailand and Hungary have a strong trading partnership, with Hungary being Thailand’s 11th trading partner in the EU and 51st globally. In 2023, the total trade value between the two nations was approximately B27.72 billion.
During the event, Ambassador Sipos and Honorary Consul Mr Thanusak presented 15 Teqball tables to the Phuket Sports Association, received by its President, Thammawat Wongcharoen.
Teqball, a sport invented by Hungary in 2014, has been promoted as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Thai-Hungarian diplomatic relations.
The Hungarian Embassy in Thailand previously supported the sport by donating 12 Teqball tables to the Department of Physical Education on Aug 8, 2023, which contributed to Thai athletes becoming World Teqball Champions in late 2023.
The initiative is expected to further popularise Teqball in Phuket and throughout the Andaman provinces. Added to the programmes for the 2021 Asian Beach Games and the 2023 European Games, the sport is now aiming for Olympic inclusion.