On 27 November 2018, the Royal Thai Embassy hosted press conference for delegates from Spain who will participate in the 8th Celebration of Silk: “Thai Silk Road to the world,” to be held in Bangkok, Thailand during 1 – 9 December 2018.  

The delegates, which include Spain’s top designer, Maria Lafuente, and beauty representatives,      Miss Universe Spain 2017, Sofia Del Prado, and Miss Universe Spain 2018 Angela Ponce, as well as Sergio Gallardo, President of Lal La Buya, will travel to Thailand at the end of this November to participate in the fashion show and showcase of clothes designed by Ms. Lafuente and tailored by women under La Lal La Buya Foundation. 

 

During the press conference, Natenapa Kongsri, Chargé d'affaires of Thailand expressed support for the Spanish delegation as it will be the opportunity to show the world the beauty and uniqueness of Thai silk, which has long been supported and promoted by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Queen of His Majesty Late King Rama IX.  Maria Lafuente explained further that the inspiration for her design is based on SDG and stressed that “fashion is not only beauty but also value it conveys.” Sergio Gallardo explained that the initiative for La Lal La Buya Foundation came from the aspiration to promote career development for women with difficulties in entering the labour market, survivors of gender abuse or women at risk of social exclusion in Melilla. 
 

Since 2009, the Thai Tourist Assistance Foundation, in collaboration with members of foreign diplomatic missions in Bangkok, has organized the Celebration of Silk. This year, the Thai government has provided an unprecedented boost to the event, with 50 designers, 35 beauty queens from different countries participating. The event will be followed by the Miss Universe 2018 competition which will take place in Thailand during mid December 2018.