Community
Café Europa in Krabi closing after nearly 27 years
By Nadja Dam Jensen
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little Scandinavian oasis in Krabi, known for its home made Danish and Scandinavian food, is closing after 26 and a half years of bringing people together, travellers as well as locals, over great food and the essential aquavit. Café Europa was founded in 1990 by Tipakorn, Henrik and Finn, who is still running
the restaurant today, but from tomorrow there the trio will close down the restaurant to focus on another project. On 9 April Café Europa announced through their Facebook page that Wednesday 12 April 2017 will be their very last business day of Café Europa, where they’ll be open from 9am to 5pm. By locals the restaurant is called the little Scandinavian Embassy. Maybe because of their openness for sharing advice and inside tips to their visitors.They even have a famous read called ‘tips of town’ where they share all of their insider information on what to do and see in town. Many people are reacting to the sad news on Facebook, thanking Café Europa for the many memories they have been a part of, expressing their grief over their closing, saying they will miss the oasis of Scandinavian food and wishing them good luck in the future and with their new project. One even shared a picture of a large
elephant sharing a beer with founder Henrik at the restaurant. And elephants are exactly what is going to be the new focus point of the people behind Café Europa. “Our new animal rescue project; Krabi Elephant Sanctuary will start fundraising beginning of may and we hope you will support this new home for old, abused, blind and retired elephants from the tourist and logging industry,” writes Café Europa on their Facebook page. Awareness of animal abuse is not new for Café Europa. Not only are they part of Wildlife Friends Krabi, on their website they are clearly expressing the impor tance of saying no to elephant riding and animal abuse. They will keep people updated on their new project through Café Europa’s Facebook page.
Joyful celebrations of Norway’s National Day Text: Nadja Dam Jensen
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7 May is a big day for all Norwegians. It is a day where many dress up in their national dresses, a day filled with Norwegian flags waving in the air, a happy day of celebrating Norway and the Constitution signed on 17 May 1814, declaring Norway an independent kingdom. For all of the Norwegians living abroad, it was no exception. In South East Asia, Norwegian communities gathered for celebrations. In Bangkok the Norwegian Embassy and the local 17 May Committee hosted celebrations from 10:45 in the morning. Starting with a speech from this year 17 May general,Anne-Kari Gulliksen, Norwegians in Bangkok kicked of a wonderful day, although the weather was not quite on their side with rain pouring down over Bangkok for long periods during the day. Afterwards, it was time for the obligatory parade with Norwegian flags and a marching band playing as everyone walked three rounds 6 ScandAsia.Thailand • June 2017
around the embassy residence. Luckily, and to everyone’s relief, the rain stopped just as the parade started, but also came back as soon as it ended. Kjetil Paulsen, Ambassador of Norway to Thailand, held a speech right after the parade with a greeting from Norwegian King Harald to the Norwegian colony in Thailand. He also introduced young Karoline Bjørnsen, who followed him with a speech celebrating 17 May abroad. The day ended with a gala dinner at Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit Hotel, hosted by Nordmannsforbundet. Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok