Back in the kitchen for Samak

Samak showed keen interest in the range of delectable food and wines sourced from all over Australia - including South Australian kingfish, Pacific yellowfin tuna, Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, Pacific oysters, Queensland avocados, a selection of Australian cheeses and a wide range of Australian wines and fresh juices, a spread that was orchestrated by the hotel's Australian executive chef Lucas Glanville. Ambassador Paterson also gave the PM a recipe book highlighting Australian seafood from Sydney's Pier restaurant.

 Another highlight was the fashion show for three high-end Australian fashion labels, Natasha, Manning Cartel and Bettina Liano. Outfits from the three brands are available in Thailand thanks to Polita, a local fashion outlet owned by famous Thai-Australian model Paula Taylor.

The Australia Day reception was well attended, with more than 650 guests from politics, business, culture and the arts, and education circles underscoring the many facets of the complex relationship between Australia and Thailand.

Among the guests of honour were privy councillors Gen Pichit Kullavanich and Siddhi Savetsila; Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti; Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama; Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niumpradit; Gen Winai Phattiyakul, permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry; former resident of the National Assembly, Bhokin Bhalakula; Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand Bandid Nijathaworn; as well as several members of the Chirathivat family led by the Group's Chairman Vanchai Chirathivat.