On Saturday 1 May 2010 from 11.00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool and Mrs. Tanya Laohathai, First Secretary, attended the art preview of Christie’s Spring Hong Kong Auction highlights and the launch of the book ‘30ArtFriends: Appreciating Southeast Asian Art’ at ARTSPACE@Helutrans, Kepple Rd. The guest of honour was Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Chairman of the National Heritage Board of Singapore.

The ‘30ArtFriends’ is a collection of Southeast Asian paintings collected by a group of 15 Singaporean and 15 Malaysian art collectors. Each of them had written 3 essays and feature 3 works of their acquisition. The Thai artist represented at the preview was Mr. Damrong Wong-Uparaj (1936-2002).

Mr. T K Quek publisher of ‘30ArtFriends’ is an architect who has deep appreciation of Southeast Asian art and is keen on promoting works of Thai artists in Singapore. The Ambassador reciprocated his interest and informed him of the plan to organize a Thai art festival in Singapore by the National Heritage Board.