“Ceylon Tea – Finest Evening”
By Kathleen Pokrud
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok recently successfully concluded a key trade and tourism promotional event titled “Ceylon Tea – Finest Evening” at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bangkok. This flagship initiative was organised to promote Sri Lanka’s globally acclaimed national tea brand, Ceylon Tea, and foster stronger ties in trade and tourism between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand.
The event brought together distinguished guests from different sectors, including leading Thai tea importers and retailers, representatives from prominent hotel chains and shopping malls, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Thai government institutions, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps and members of the media.
The evening was graced by HE Dr Lalivan Karnchanachari, former vice minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
Key highlights of the programme included a welcome reception featuring iced Ceylon black tea and Sri Lankan ginger cookies, followed by the screening of promotional videos on Sri Lanka and Ceylon Tea, offering an immersive introduction to the island’s tourism potential and tea heritage.
Delivering the welcome address, HE Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand & Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP, underscored the significance of Ceylon Tea as a symbol of quality, heritage and national pride while emphasizing the potential for expanded bilateral cooperation in tourism, trade and investment.
A recorded message from HE Arun Hemachandra, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka, was also screened during the event. In his remarks, the deputy minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to expanding its international partnerships and the vital role that Ceylon Tea continues to play in shaping the country's global identity.
Guests were then treated to a curated high tea experience, featuring a premium selection of Ceylon Teas paired with traditional Sri Lankan delicacies and refined international offerings, creating a memorable culinary and cultural experience. Throughout the event, promotional videos continued to highlight Sri Lanka’s rich tourism offerings and dynamic trade potential.
To further support the promotional effort, a variety of Ceylon Teas from the Sri Lanka Tea Board and nine leading Sri Lankan exporters, including Dilmah Tea, Basilur Tea, Stassen Exports, Tea Packs, Unitrades, Tea Talk, Inter Beverages, Ceylon Fresh Teas and Ceyland Tea were displayed and distributed among attendees. The Sri Lanka Tea Board, as a key institutional partner, assisted the event reflecting the tea industry’s strong commitment to enhancing the global presence of Ceylon Tea.
“Ceylon Tea – Finest Evening” stood as a testament to Sri Lanka’s deepening engagement with Thailand, and to the value of cultural diplomacy in advancing mutual economic interests. It was a successful and impactful evening, celebrating the essence of Ceylon Tea and the enduring friendship between Sri Lanka and Thailand.
