PREFACE to the programme book for the concerts by the Philips Symphony Orchestra May 8th and 9th 2001 in the Thai Cultural Centre, Bangkok Thailand, by Rien Frankenhuis, chairman.

It is a great pleasure for me to be able to write this preface at this moment, because it means that dreams are really coming true!!

First of all, on behalf of the conductor and the members of the Philips Symphony Orchestra, I would like to congratulate Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Yadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rujanagarindra on her Birthday. May God give Her a long and healthy life!

When I first visited Thailand with my family in the summer of 2000 and conceived the plan to have a concert tour in Thailand, I never expected that such an idea could become a reality so fast!!

Our main thanks go to Peter de Ruiter, general manager of Special Journey, for his persistence. When we met last summer, he immediately became enthusiastic and never stopped organising, so for me he is THE tour manager of the year! Thank you very much Peter for your fantastic endurance.

Having met the Chairman & CEO of Philips Electronics Thailand Ltd. Mr Vic Tee and the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Mrs Atchara Tejapaibul, the idea was soon born to give a charity concert tour. That resulted in these two concerts for which our thanks mostly go to the main sponsoring by Philips Electronics Thailand Ltd.

Two concerts, one classical and one popular, both with the intention of bringing classical music closer to the Thai people and, through the popular one, to Thai youth. We really hope we will be successful especially with the help of the wonderful soloist-singer Saovanit Navapan.

The fact that during this period we are also able to celebrate the official birthday of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands together with the Dutch society is a fantastic coincidence!!

The conductor and members of the Philips Symphony Orchestra are looking forward to learning about Thailand and its people and we hope that you will enjoy meeting us.

Rien Frankenhuis, M.D., Chairman of the Philips Symphony Orchestra.

Every orchestramember is responsible for acquiring the needed vaccinations