Kg Tamoi Ujong, Brunei - Five officers and media representatives from Thailand`s Public Relations Department yesterday visited Kg Tamoi Ujong in the Water Village.
The delegation, led by PR officer Samphan Musordee, was welcomed by Hj Mokti Md Salleh, the Penghulu of Mukim Tamoi, his wife and other residents of the village.
Other delegates comprised PR officer Araya Sukkasang, reporter Nipon Wattanaprasert, Engineering Service officer Suradej Khumparkping and Information officer Mathaneeya Maksomboon.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by a group of elderly men and women playing traditional drums called `dombak` and performing `mengukun`, a song usually associated with the `joget` dance. The delegates later joined in the dance and clearly enjoyed themselves.
Apart from this, they also tried some local delicacies, a couple of which were the `cucur tibadak` and `apam`. They were then shown a demonstration on how to make the `kuih jala` - a popular dry biscuit made of wheat and sugar.
According to Samphan, it was his first visit to Brunei and he enjoyed his time here immensely. Speaking in fluent Malay, he told the Bulletin that the Bruneian culture and lifestyle are somewhat similar to those of Thailand, especially in the Pattani Province in Northern Thailand.
Since their visit coincided with Hari Raya, the delegates also got a chance to see and experience the Sultanate`s festive celebration for themselves.
"We all went to the Istana Nurul Iman on Monday, the first day the palace was opened to the public, to pay our respects to the royal family, and were impressed with how the people of Brunei Darussalam, regardless of class, religion and race, get an opportunity to greet their ruler personally."
He said that he also met a number of Thai tourists who had come to the Sultanate recently just to visit the royal family. He finds Brunei a very safe and peaceful country, rich in natural resources, and will definitely share his experiences once he is back home.
Before their visit to Kg Tamoi Ujong, Samphan said they also visited the District Office in Temburong, and made a courtesy call on Acting District Officer Hj Abduh Dato Paduka Hj Salam, where they were briefed on the structures and developments of the district.
They were then taken for refreshments at the Bumi Putra Shopping Complex in Pekan Bangar before visiting Kg Belingus in Mukim Bangar.
Their five-day visit is part of the `Exchange Visit of Officers and Media from the Public Relations Department, Thailand to Brunei Darussalam, under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand`.
Source: www.brunei-online.com (19 Oktober 2007)
