Her Majesty on 4 July 2007 visited the State Tretyakov Gallery where collections of top Russian works of art are kept. Upon arrival, she was greeted by the Gallery Director who guided her through the tour.

With more than 130,000 pieces of art in its collection, ranging from the earliest religious icons to 20th-century Russian artworks, the gallery is considered one among Russia’s best museums and one of the major museums of the world.

Later, HM the Queen arrived at the Baltschug Kempinski Hotel in Moscow and graciously granted an audience to 150 Thai people and students. There are now 1,139 Thais in the Russian Federation; 126 are Thai students studying in Moscow and St. Petersburg; 976 working, the majority of whom work with oil companies in Sakhalin, and the rest 37 are officials and their families.

Her Majesty thanked all parties concerned for the warm and gracious welcome she received while visiting Russia, and expressed appreciations for President Vladimir Putin’s deep and personal interest in the Thai handicrafts and works of SUPPORT Foundation. She noted that Thai people, even those in rural villages who might not enjoy the benefit of higher education, are capable people, especially in matter concerning arts and crafts, and, if given a chance, will be able to create beautiful works of art that can very well impress foreigners.