4,200,000 BAHT DONATED ON THE OCCASION OF THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY.
On the occasion of the Candlelight Gala Dinner, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation, symbolic donations were announced by the Foundation, and more amounts were donated by the guests of the gala.
A total of 2,7 million baht was donated by the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation to charities which have been part, in a way or the other, of its history, such as the Rotary, the Inspire Project, the Sataban Saeng Sawang Foundation, etc...
Other donations were made by the guests, who, in exchange of their generosity, have received a small replica of the Miss Universe Crown, made by Mouawad.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE STATUE OF H.M. QUEEN FABIOLA OF BELGIUM
In 2022 the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation commissioned a new statue of Her Majesty Queen Fabiola of Belgium, who was very fond of Thailand. The statue was created by Thai artist Therdkongtong Tortid, and is made of bronze in three copies.
There relations between Thailand and Belgium have always been friendly, and especially between the two royal families. For this reason, the first statue was offered to H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during an audience granted to the board of the Foundation at Dusit Palace in Bangkok, on the 31st of May 2022.
Another statue will be placed at The Assumption University of Thailand, which Queen Fabiola visited on two occasions.
The third statue will be kept by the Foundation.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE NEW BOOK ABOUT THE FOUNDATION.
On the 1st of December 2021, the new book about the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation was presented during an afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Chalermsuk Yugala. The book retraces 15 years of successful activities of the Foundation, with hundreds of pictures of its events, and shorts texts and memories which have been written by over one hundred contributors. This unique book is not for sale. It will be distributed as a gift from the Foundation.
If you would like to receive a complementary copy of the book, please send us a message with your contact details. We only send book to addresses in Thailand.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
DONATION OF 300,000 BAHT TO THE KAMLANGJAI PROJECT.
On the 28th of October 2021, members of the board of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation made a donation of 300,000b to the Kamlangjai (Inspire) project under the royal initiative of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
The donation was handed over at the Ministry of Justice by Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, Chairman, M.R. Priyanandana Rangsit, Vice-Chairman, Khun Tuenjai Sinthuvnik, and Dr. Jintanant Chaya Subhamitr.
The donation was officially received by Air Marshal Somkid Sukbang, representative of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, Distinguished Professor Wisit Wisitsora-at, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, and Mrs. Jirapha Sinthunawa, the Inspector of the Ministry of Justice.
THE NEW STATUE
OF CHAO PHYA ABHAI RAJA.
In 2020, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation has commissioned a very talented Thai artist, Khun Therdkongton Tortid, to create a new statue of Chao Phya Abhai Raja Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns wearing his grand uniform. Early 2021, once the work of the artist was completed, the statue was reproduced in 7 copies made of bronze. The copies have since been donated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Thammasat and Assumption universities, the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok, and the Thai Bar Association under Royal Patronage. Two copies have been kept by the Foundation to be displayed in Chiangrai and Bangkok. The statue will be one more way to remember the work and achievements of Chao Phya Abhai Raja, General Advisor of HM King Rama V.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
DONATIONS BY THE CHAO PHYA ABHAI RAJA FOUNDATION IN 2021
In 2021 donations totaling over a million bath were made by the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation to worthwhile projects. 500,000b was donated to the Maharat Hospital of Chiangmai to buy special equipment. 200,000b was donated for scholarships, which will be awarded this year by the Association of the Prosecutors Wives of Thailand. 120,000b was donated for two projects of the Rotary Club of Maechan. 100,000b was donated for an artistic projects helping autistic youngsters. 150,000b was donated to provide assistance in three villages of the Maechan district, Thammajarik, Hua Jo, and Jo Paka. The Foundation will also donate 300,000b to the Kamlangjai Project (Inspire) of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha at a later date in the year due to the Covid restrictions.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE CREATE INNOVATE & RECYCLE PAPER ART EXHIBITION.
The Create, Innovate & Recycle Paper Art Exhibition was a project actively supported by the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation, but initiated by Raksit Boonnark, a student who we awarded a university scholarship. All together, 19 artists participated to this exhibition by displaying art pieces all made of paper and carton. Besides the art itself, the exhibition aimed at sending a strong message to the visitors about the importance of recycling and preserving the environment. Opened during the Covid pandemic which affected countless people in Thailand, the artists also wanted to help the society and created artistic face masks made of paper. The masks were all sold, with the proceeds of the sale being entirely donated to the Thai Red Cross Society. The guests of honor on the day of the opening ceremony was HSH Prince Chalermsuk Yugala, with M.R. Priyanandana Rangsit officially opening the exhibition.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
COVID 19 RELIEF ACTIVITIES
With so many people affected by the Covid 19 pandemic and the economic downturn, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation decided not only to help other projects and foundations, but also initiate its own projects. Together with Khun La Ong Tiyapairat, Member of Parliament for Chiangrai, we have identified some of those who were in the most difficult situation in the districts of Maechan and Mae fah Luang of the Chiangrai province. By joining hands with Khun La Ong, the team of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation was able to help thousands of villagers with bags of rice, face masks, and cash relief of 500b per person.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE SIMPLY EXCEPTIONAL GALA DINNER
The Simply Exceptional Gala Dinner, organized and hosted by the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation, aimed at honoring three countries, Lesotho, Thailand, and Belgium, through their diamond and jewelry industries. This highly glamorous event was presided over by Their Majesties King Letsie and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho, HRH Princess Lea of Belgium, and ML Sarali Kitiyakara, representing HRH Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha. The evening was also enhanced by the presence of HRH Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck of Bhutan, HRH Tunku Naquiyuddin of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, the Grand Duke George Michailovich of Russia, and Their Serene Highnesses Prince Chalermsuk and Prince Nawaphansa Yugala.
Find more pictures on the Simply Exceptional 2019 Facebook page, or on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE SECOND VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS LEA OF BELGIUM TO THAILAND
In 2019 the Chao Phya Abhai Raja was honored to host HRH Princess Lea of Belgium for her second visit to Thailand. Besides attending the Simply Exceptional Gala Dinner, the Foundation had organized a full program for the Princess, which involved activities in Bangkok, but also in the Nan, Chiangrai, and Ayutthaya provinces.
Find more pictures on the Simply Exceptional 2019 Facebook page, on the Thai-Belgian Friendship 150 Years Facebook page, and the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF THAI-BELGIAN RELATIONS.
2018 was an important year for the Thai-Belgian relations, since it was the 150th anniversary of the signing of the first treaty of friendship and trade between the two countries. On that important occasion, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation joined hands with the Embassy of Belgium and the BeLuThai Chamber of Commerce to organize a series of events. The Foundation organized, among other events, the Thailand-Belgium 150 Years Gala Dinner, which was presided over by HRH Princess Lea of Belgium and HSH Prince Chalermsuk Yugala, representing HRH Princess Soamsawali.
Find more pictures on the Thai-Belgian Friendship 150 Years Facebook page, or the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE FIRST MEDICAL CASE OF THE FOUNDATION
In 2017 the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation committed to completely assist a very challenging medial case. A young boy of the Buriram province was heavily physically impaired following an accident. Very complex chirurgical operations were needed to help him regain the use of both his legs. The process has been very long and painful, but after 5 months in hospital and a year of reeducation the boy was again able to walk. All the costs of the operations themselves, the costs of especially imported material, as well as for the medical and reeducation care, were taken care of by the Foundation. An additional donation of 500,000b was made to the Maharat Hospital of Chiangmai, as a gesture of gratitude towards the medical team.
THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF CHAO PHYA ABHAI RAJA IN SIAM.
In 2017 the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation hosted an important gala dinner to commemorate the 125th year of the arrival of Chao Phya Abhai Raja Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns to Siam. The guest speaker of the event was M.R. Chakrarot Chitrabongs, and the event was also attended by Khun Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and several members of the Rolin family.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE THAI-BELGIAN FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATIONS.
In 2015 the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation organized a series of events to celebrate the friendly Thai-Belgian relations. The Thai-Belgian Friendship Celebrations lasted 9 days and included a gala dinner, an economic forum, an exhibition, and many other activities. The Thai-Belgian Friendship Gala Dinner was presided over by HRH Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha and HRH Princess Maria-Esmeralda of Belgium.
Find more pictures on the Thai-Belgian Friendship 150 Years Facebook page, or the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL VISITS
On the occasion of the Thai-Belgian Friendship Celebrations, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation organized the Exhibition of the Royal Visits, which was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The exhibition included many oversized historical photographs of the State Visits of the royal families of Thailand and Belgium in each other countries.
Find more pictures on the Thai-Belgian Friendship 150 Years Facebook page, or the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE THAI-BELGIAN FRIENDSHIP BTS SKYTRAIN.
To celebrate the Thai-Belgian Friendship, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation, the BeLuThai Chamber of Commerce, and the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok, joined hands to unite Belgians and Thais, but also Thai and Belgian businesses for this very special occasion. This unity was displayed on an especially designed BTS Skytrain, which not only proudly displayed the Belgian and Thai colors, but also the logos of the many Thai and Belgian entities cooperating in this project.
Find more pictures on the Thai-Belgian Friendship 150 Years Facebook page, or the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
INAUGURATION OF THE STATUE OF CHAO PHYA ABHAI RAJA AT THE RESIDENCE OF THE BELGIAN AMBASSADOR.
On the occasion of an economic mission to Thailand, headed by Prince Philippe of Belgium in 2013, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation donated a statue of Chao Phya Abhai Raja Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns to the Embassy of Belgium. The statue was placed in the gardens of the Residence of the Belgian Ambassador in Bangkok, and inaugurated in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, now King and Queen of the Belgians.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE CHIANGRAI HILLS STADIUM
The Chiangrai Hills Stadium is a community project of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation, which has been totally financed by its Chairman and members of the board. The stadium was built to allow the Maechan area youth to play sports and stay away from drugs. The stadium was inaugurated in 2011 after two years of construction and an investment of around 60 million baht.
Find more pictures on the Chiangrai Hills Stadium Facebook page, and on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
THE HILL TRIBE VIOLIN PROJECT.
The Hill Tribe Violin project goes back to the origins of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation. Belgian violinist Geertje Podevyn devoted a lot of her time to come to Chiangrai to teach violin to a group of students from the Suksasongkroh Maechan school. Around 20 students from the hill tribes of Chiangrai learned to play violin with the violins being donated by the local Rotary Club. Later on the Hill tribe Violin Band was created, allowing the students to play in various places around Thailand and make revenues.
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
OTHER ACTIVITIES...
The Foundation has initiated many more activities since its creation. These included the Sindoi Ceramic Project, with French sculptor Paul Beckrich, the Celebration Concert, with Belgian musicians of the Belch' Quartet, the Hill Tribe Magic Show, and more...
Find more pictures on the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation Facebook page.
