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PHUKET'S envoys turned out last night to celebrate the opening of a Netherlands consulate on the island and the appointment of Dutch honorary consul Seven Smulders.
The party lit up the new ''pink palace'' on the beachfront at Karon, the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, with leading Phuket officials mingling with the honorary consuls and embassy representatives.
Down from Bangkok for the occasion was the Netherlands Ambassador, Tjaco T. van den Hout, with Phuket Vice Governor Veerawat Janpen leading local dignitaries who included the Chief Executive of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong and Regional Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangornrat Shinaprayoon.
More nations are opening consulates on Phuket as Phuket draws tourists from an increasing number of countries.
The Netherlands Consulate is in the Dara Hotel in Phuket City, close to the Central Festival intersection. Telephone 076 304096-7 E: dutchhcp@gmail.com
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