Two Thai Women Honored with Prestigious Portuguese Decorations
Two Thai Women Honored with Prestigious Portuguese Decorations
Bangkok , March 2 , 2026 The Embassy of Portugal in Bangkok held a distinguished ceremony to confer the Order of Prince Henry (Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique), one of Portugal’s highest civilian honors. The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Luiz de Albuquerque Veloso, Ambassador of Portugal to Thailand, at the Ambassador’s official residence.
This year, the Republic of Portugal bestowed this high honor upon two exceptional Thai nationals: Dr. Pralom Boonrussamee and Mrs. Navinee Pongthai, in recognition of their lifelong dedication to strengthening the bonds between the two nations.
The Order of Prince Henry is a testament to extraordinary service rendered to the Portuguese Republic. It celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the expansion of Portuguese culture, as well as those who have fostered a deeper understanding of the nation’s history, heritage, and enduring values.
Dr. Pralom Boonrussamee, the current Head of the Portuguese Section at the Department of Western Languages, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, has been a pivotal figure in cultural diplomacy. Her dedication to promoting the Portuguese language in Thailand is exemplary.
Having served at the Embassy of Portugal from 1999 to 2011 as Secretary to the Ambassador and as a translator for the Consular Section, her influence remains far-reaching. Dr. Pralom was a member of the organizing committee for the 500th Anniversary of Thai-Portuguese Relations and contributed significantly to the development of the Portuguese-Thai dictionary. Her initiatives span the realms of gastronomy, wine, and history, alongside her academic expertise in the Royal Society’s guidelines for Portuguese-to-Thai transcription.
Mrs. Navinee Pongthai, a descendant of the historic Da Cruz lineage, has devoted her life to preserving the rich tapestry of the Thai-Portuguese Catholic heritage. Her family founded the Baan Kudichin Museum in the heart of the Kudichin community which is one of the three ancestral Portuguese-descendant settlements nestled along the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
Under Navinee’s stewardship, the museum has become a vital sanctuary for local history, fostering a profound connection between the two countries. It serves as an essential educational hub for students and has grown into a cherished destination for both domestic and international visitors seeking to understand the deep roots of Portuguese influence in Thailand.
The conferment ceremony was conducted with great elegance and warmth. The Ambassador, joined by the Deputy Head of Mission and the Cultural Attaché, extended a gracious welcome to the distinguished guests, marking another milestone in the centuries-old friendship between Portugal and Thailand.
ข่าวภาษาไทย / Thai Version
