N0RDIC STUDIES CENTER #

N0RDIC STUDIES CENTER #

Aurora borealis
Newsletter
Number 2 April 2000

NSC Contact Address:
The NORDIC Studies Center
International Affairs Division
Kasetsart University
Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. (66-2) 9428500-11 Ext. 4102
Fax. (66-2) 9428170
E-Mail : psdnsc@nontri.ku.ac.th

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On April 16th 2000, it is the 60th birthday of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, a monarch who scores top marks in domestic opinion polls when it comes to personal elegance, knowledge, intellectual and artistic abilities and not least her aptitude to communicate with her subjects in a way which captures their imaginations.
In a country where political parties are legion - there are currently 10 - it is indicative of the support that the queen enjoys, that at no time in the 25 years of her reign has their been the slightest movement towards the formation of a party whose declared aim is to introduce a republic. Even those groups and citizens who in principle would prefer a republic, the response is clear: “Yes - but not in the reign of this monarch.”
Queen Margrethe is the 54th in a direct line of Danish monarchs. Six hundred years separate her from her namesake Queen Margrethe I, who at that time reigned throughout the Nordic region. The contemporary Queen Margrethe also rules over territories over and above the Danish mainland, since Denmark is in commonwealth with the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, both of which have been autonomous since 1948 and 1979 respectively.
In her lifetime, the Queen has seen her country develop from political bondage (the country was occupied from 1940 to 1945) to a nation with a high international profile steeped in the democratic and human rights tradition. Within its borders, Denmark has developed from mediocrity into a welfare state, the likes of which many nations have attempted to copy.
The backdrop to the birth of Queen Margrethe on April 16, 1940 could not have been more sinister. Denmark had been occupied the week before by German troops. The birth of a princess to then Crown Prince Frederik and Swedish-born Princess Ingrid – was a ray of light in the darkness, upon which the population dwelled for many years.
At the time of her birth and early childhood, Denmark embraced only male succession. But popular sentiment had moved in a different direction , and when the end of the war brought about the need for a change in the constitution, the
country’s political masters felt the time was ripe to change this practice too.
It is a touching historical detail that Margrethe’s father – who in the meantime had become Frederik IX (1899-1972) – made it plain among others to then Prime Minister Hans Hedtoft that he did not believe the practice should be changed. Not because he did not have confidence in his daughter, but because he wanted to spare his child the tribulations and hard life of a monarch.
Another historical dimension was that it was deemed uncertain whether the other proposed constitutional changes would be able to bring the population to the polling booths. The issue of male succession, with the young princess at the forefront, however, seemed to ensure the necessary electoral participation.
Denmark’s legal and traditional practice is that the royal family does not exert political influence. It is therefore a paradox that it was the personage of the successor that carried through one of the greatest political changes ever in Denmark. Queen Margrethe was meticulously prepared for her reign through a broad program of study at universities in Copenhagen and Arhus in Denmark, Cambridge and the London School of Economics in Britain and the Sorbonne in France. The main thrust of her education was political science, but with a fair measure of her own passion of archaeology.
It was during one of her sojourns in London that she met her six-year senior husband-to-be, Count Henri Laborde de Monpezat. When the couple were married in 1967, Henri took the Danish name Henrik. The couple have had two children. Crown Prince Frederik (May 26, 1968) and Prince Joachim (June 7, 1969). The latter married Ms. Alexandra Manley-now the Princess Alexandra-from Hong Kong in 1995. The couple’s first child, Nikolai, was born in 1999.
Both sons have been brought up in keeping with their position and duties in the royal line of succession. HRH The Crown Prince has demonstrated his capabilities as a free-fall parachutist and graduate of the Danish military equivalent of the Seals. During 2000, he took part in a three-month expedition by dog sled in the Arctic wastes of Greenland.
The two princes’ father, the Royal Consort, is an accomplished vintner from the royal chateau at Cahors in France , and has also proven himself as a translator (of among other works Simone de Beauvoir) with the Queen, as well as an author of poetry, autobiography and gastronomy.
As a newly crowned monarch, Queen Margrethe adopted the motto “God’s help. Love of the people. Denmark’s strength.” These are words that the Danish population has helped her to give content. The love of her subjects has always been evident. Her grandfather Christian IX (1870-1947) enjoyed similar popularity, among other things because of his habit of riding his horse through the streets of the capital during the wartime German occupation. Her father, Frederik IX enjoyed equal popularity for his robust, sailor’s image and love of music.
“The Job,” as Queen Margrethe calls her calling, is carried out with a loyalty and energy equal to the dedication of demanding positions in the private sector. Long working hours seem not to deter her from appearing calm, collected and dignified in public.
Invigorating discussions with foreign heads of state, scientists, authors and artists alike, she is also often at the head of Danish trade and cultural delegations.
Each Wednesday she is briefed by the prime and foreign ministers on issues of state. Thus, despite the fact that she does not take part in the nation's political life, is one of the most knowledgeable political observers in the country.
Nor is the monarch's position simply one of a figurehead. Her signature is required on all new legislation, and throughout the parliamentary year she is kept abreast of developments through the Privy Council of the Cabinet, which meets more or less every second Wednesday.
Apart from her many official and ceremonial functions such as state visits, inaugurations and charitable events, Queen Margrethe is also an accomplished artist in her own right. She has created costumes and scenery for the Royal Theatre, designed stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Denmark's liberation, created her own and her sons’s monograms as well as the crown that adorns, among other things, the entrances to the national forests.
eleven monumental and six smaller tapestries to illustrate the history of Denmark. The tapestries will be put in place on her 60th birthday in the Great Hall of the Christiansborg Castle, which also houses Parliament and where the queen often gives audience.
Ask a Dane what memories they have of their Queen, and many will have positive ones. Like the child who refuses to leave the Royal Square at Amalienborg on the Queen's birthday before the monarch has appeared to wave to her subjects.
Television viewers also have fond memories of their queen skiing in Norway, or as a grape picker in France. Or as the person who appeared with her hair down on the balcony to listen to the traditional band congratulating her and the Prince Consort on their silver wedding anniversary in 1992.
She is remembered from news conferences - a daring innovation for
To be continued on p.8
King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit visited to Denmark in 1960
Thailand and Denmark have always enjoyed close, cordial and harmonious relations. Their close ties and bond of friendship have been built on a solid foundation of over 3 centuries of commercial relations; as well as the cordial, friendly and personal rapport established between their successive Monarchs and Royal Families since mid 1850s. After the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation in A.D. 1858, Siamese and Danish envoys were also appointed in Copenhagen and Bangkok.
Danish business and trading companies, particularly The East Asiatic Co., Maersk Lines of A.P. Moller and Carlsberg, as well as the Thai and Danish Monarchs, particularly H.M. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V),who visited several European states (including Denmark) in 1897 and 1907, played crucial roles in promoting, forging and enhancing bilateral relations. Their tasks were supplemented by several successive Royal visits, particularly the state visits of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit to Denmark in September 1960, and King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid to Thailand in January 1962. Queen Margrethe II also made unofficial visits to Thailand in 1963 as Crown Princess, and in 1981 with her Consort, Prince Henrik. In addition, many prominent individuals belonging to the government and private sectors from both countries have, for many years, also established official and personal contacts and rapport.
Equally important is of course tourism which, in recent years, has brought many Thais and Danes much closer together in realizing their common interests, understanding
and friendship. For several years, Thailand has been awarded best country destination by
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Mr. Tom Sorensen
DANISH -THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT
"Whatever will tend to further enhance the ties of friendship between the great city of Tranauwasri (Tenasserim) and Athilamas (Denmark), and whatever will facilitate merchants from Athilamas in their continued trade in the great city of Tranauwasri, that we leave to the wits of the Reeth (king) of Athilamas."
Trade relations flourished under changing conditions for centuries - for many years this relationship was dominated by the large East Asiatic Company, the first Danish company founded in Thailand. Since then Danish business interests in Thailand have grown steadily providing a natural reason for the establishment of a Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce in 1992.
It was the first Danish Chamber in the South East Asia region. It is a non-political, non-profit orientated legal entity, established according to the Chamber of Commerce Act BS 2509 to promote economic development between Thailand and Denmark.
Among the principal objectives are to promote and develop the trade in industry, agriculture, finance and economy; to promote good cooperation and relation between businessmen of the two countries; to provide assistance on trade, tourism and investments; to publicize and promote Thai and Danish cultures; to publish statistical data on commerce and investments.
The Chamber is a member of the Joint Foreign Chamber and The Board of Trade of Thailand. The Chamber also publishes the journal Danish Trade News which reflects the Chamber and its activities.

Queen Margrethe 60 Years

On the whole, however, Thailand has a growing, satisfactory commercial relations with Denmark. Between 1990-1996, Denmark had trade surpluses with Thailand. Since 1997, with the devaluation of the Thai Baht and increased Thai competitiveness, the balance of trade has been in Thailand's favour. Total trade volume in 1998 and 1999 were respectively US$ 367.40 m. and US$ 318.94 m., with US$ 109.42 m. and US$ 107.60 m. surpluses for Thailand. Principal Thai exports to Denmark in both years were: shoes and parts; telecommunications and parts; garments; veneer and parquet; furniture and parts; canned seafood; TV-radio and parts; cars; canned fruits and vegetables; jewelry and accessories. Principal imports from Denmark were: industrial machinery; scientific and medical equipment; fertilizers; paper; cardboard and products; chemicals; integrated circuits; electric machinery and parts; electrical appliances; metal products; medical and pharmaceutical products.
Although Denmark's size and population are only about one-tenth (43,100 sq. km. and 5.3 million people) of Thailand, there are potentials and opportunities for further expansion of bilateral trade, particularly with the recovery of the Thai economy. Danish market, which can also be utilized as a gateway to neighboring Baltic States, has strong purchasing power.
Thai-Danish relations have also been built on close bilateral development cooperation, started in early 1960s with DANIDA (of the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) providing assistance in scholarships, experts and mixed credits for establishing Thai-Denmark Dairy Farm and Training Centre, and emphasizing in areas of agricultural development which are now being phased out. Since 1994 when DANCED (of Denmark's Ministry of Environment and Energy) was established, assistance (of approximately Danish Kroner 90 m. or 450 m. Baht annually) has been concentrated on environment development and protection. This trend is likely to continue. Thailand is grateful since, for many years, it has been given priority for Danish development assistance.
In conclusion, Thai-Danish relations have always been warm and friendly. It is my sincere hope that this will be maintained, further developed and strengthened for our common interests and mutual benefits.
King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit visited to Denmark in 1960

NOTE FROM AMBASSADOR OF THAILAND TO DENMARK
Mr. Apiphong Jayanama
“Thai-Danish Relations : an observation”
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Danish farming accounts almost 2/3 of the total area of the country because the Danish agriculture produces food stuffs sufficient for c.15 million people, which is three times the population of Denmark. Although the part played by agriculture in the Danish economy overall has steadily fallen in line with industrialization and economic developments as a whole.
1. Danish Agricultural Policy :
Danish agriculture is to a great extent governed by the agricultural policies laid down by the EU, the agricultural products of whose member countries are guaranteed a selling price above that of the world market, irrespective of whether sales are to the domestic market, the EU or to markets outside the EU. So economically, Danish agriculture has benefited greatly from the EU agricultural policy.
2. Danish Farm Structure :
In the first half of the 20th century there was about 200,000 farms with an average area of c. 16 hectares, but after the 1950 numbers began to decline slowly. From 1960 this trend accelerated, and during the 1960s an average of 5000 farms disappeared each year. In the 1970s the decline leveled off to 2600 holdings a year, an annual rate that has persisted into the 1990s. The number of holdings has now fallen to c. 67,300 with an average area of 40 hectares. The drop has been most pronounced among farms offering full-time family employment, and this process is expected to continue so that by the turn of the millennium there will be c. 20,000 farms providing full-time employment, and having a substantial average area.
At the same time changes have taken place in farming methods; farmers are to increasing extent concentrating their efforts on one sole branch of farming, and specialization in animal production has lead to fewer types, but larger numbers of livestock.
3. Numbers employed :
In 1994, primary agriculture, including fur farming and horticulture, employed 110,000 people, or 4.4 % of the country's workforce. Most Danish farms are freehold, 91% of them being family-run farms in individual ownership, 7 % run by companies of various kinds, and the rest owned by the State, local authorities, foundations etc. Area in lease hold make up 21.5% of the agricultural area and principally represent land leased out to supplement existing holdings.
4. Agricultural Production :
Danish annual harvest yield in plant production varies between 140 and 160 million crop units, of which c. 60% are cereal crops. Over 90% of plant production is used as animal feed, primarily for pigs and cattle.
In the early 1990s, the net value of Danish agricultural production in the home and export markets, calculated as gross domestic products at factor cost (GDP), was c. 60 billion kroner a year. Of this c. 25 billion came from the primary agriculture and c. 35 billion from manufacturing and processing. Altogether agriculture contributed 15 % of the total GDP of the industrial production in Denmark.