SWEDEN'S Phuket and Andaman coast community of tourists and expat residents has a new and handily placed champion, Dr Sompoch Nipakanont.

Dr Sompoch was formally appointed Honorary Consul for Sweden by the Swedish Ambassador, Lennart Linner, in a ceremony in Phuket City yesterday.

As the Assistant Director of Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Dr Sompoch is already well known to many people in the Swedish community.

Today's close connection springs from the 2004 tsunami, when Sweden, together with Germany, suffered the greatest number of European casualties.

While people from 40 nations died in the tsunami, the two nations each suffered about 540 fatalities of the total of 5400 victims of the big wave.

For Swedes, unused to wars and natural disasters, the tsunami in distant Thailand generated raw emotions that have become today a deeper sense of attachment and affection.

Along with Germans, Australians and the British, Swedes come to Phuket and Thailand in great numbers.

More than 400,000 Swedes come to Thailand each year, the gathering of about 40 local dignitaries at Bangkok Hospital Phuket was told yesterday.

Some came first as visitors, then chose to buy a second home or retire in Thailand.

''Phuket is the largest destination for Swedes in the world,'' the ambassador told the gathering and Dr Sompoch. ''So good luck to you.''
Dr Sompoch told the meeting that the link between Sweden and Thailand goes back to King Rama V. Ties between the Swedish and Thai royal families remain strong.

''Between 20,000 and 30,000 Swedes are here at any given moment,'' the ambassador told Phuketwan. He comes to Phuket and the Andaman Sea three or four times a year, usually staying for a few days to enjoy diving, trips to other islands, or other activities.

Sweden opened a full consulate on Phuket in the wake of the tsunami and still has an office at 25/50 Maeluan Road, Phuket City, Telephone 076 254425.