WRITER: MR. GLEN CHATELIER
In 2022 the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij Foundation commissioned the sculpting in bronze of HM Queen Fabiola of Belgium, who loved Thailand. The statue was sculpted by the Thai artist Therdkongtong Tortid. On October 6, 2022, Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, Chairman of Foundation presented THE STATUE OF HM QUEEN FABIOLA OF BELGIUM to Assumption University of Thailand (AU), which Queen Fabiola visited twice (1995 and 1998).
On January 26, 2023, HRH Princess Lea of Belgium visited The University, Suvarnabhumi Campus while on a private visit to Thailand hosted by the Chairman of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij Foundation. The Princess’s visit coincided with the 25th Anniversary year of the second visit to the Hua Mak Campus by HM the late Queen Fabiola in 1998.
On this auspicious occasion, Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran, President of Assumption University of Thailand (AU), Administrators, Students, and guests of the University welcomed The Princess. At the arrival site, the President of the Assumption University Student Organization students welcomed the Princess with a traditional floral garland. In the St. Louis Marie de Montfort Chapel, The Princess sat in the seat of honor, with Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran, The President, Rev. Bro. Achin Tengtrakul, the Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Rev. Bro. Verayuth Boonpram, the Vice President for Student Affairs, Count Gerald, Marquis Olivier de Trazegnies, and Countess Edwine van der Straten Ponthoz.
In The Chapel, The Princess witnessed two choral renditions by the AU Choir conducted by Mr. Porntep Vitchuchaichan, Lecturer Louis Nobiron School of Music songs, a Thai song (แผ่นดินของเรา) and an English song (Amazing Grace), and two Mozart Piano recitals by two young Thai pianists who featured their award-winning pieces from the 2022, 10th International Mozart Competition held in Bangkok in October 2022. Mr. Natchaphon Tangtulanon (นายณัชพล ตั้งตุลานนท์) performed a Scriabin Sonata No.4 in F Sharp Major. The next two pieces, Mozart Sonata No.17 in B Flat Major and Liszt Rigoletto were performed by Mr. Chayaphon Chanporn (นายชยพล จันทร์พร) both gifted young pianists who displayed their experience of having competed on many national and international stages. The brief but meaningful event at the Chapel concluded with a song sung by Dr. Jinatanant Suphamitr dedicated to the late King Baudouin of Belgium.
After the small concert, the statue of HM Queen Fabiola, which was offered to the university by the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Foundation, was blessed in a short ceremony. The blessing was led by Rev. Bro. Amnuay Yoonprayong, Vice President for Moral Development Education and University Campus Minister, Fr. Vincent Chukwunweike Udegbu, and Fr. Innocent Onyedika Udolisah, two University scholar priests who study in the Vincent Mary School of Engineering.
The Princess was then accompanied on a tour of the Campus and had an opportunity to meet students, administrators, lecturers, and Guests of honor. The Princess then visited memorabilia of the friendship between Queen Fabiola and Brother Martin (Rev. Bro. Prathip M. Komolmas, President Emeritus of the University) before she interacted with selected International and Thai students, posed for a few commemorative photographs, and then participated in a light reception at the King’s room. A brief vote of thanks from the President was extended to HRH Princess Lea and the accompanying guests from Belgium, prior to the Princess leaving the University for her next activity.
It was indeed a memorable visit by HRH Princess Lea, extending the exclusive and cherished relations in contemporary times between Assumption University of Thailand (AU) and the Kingdom of Belgium.
