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DIPLOMATS: His Excellency Andrii Beshta- Ambassador says, ‘We want peace, but we’re determined to defend all of Ukraine’

3/12/2019

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Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
His Excellency Mr Andrii Beshta began his term as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Thailand on February 4, 2016. Having served as Counsellor at the embassy from 2007-2011, he’d already made many friends here, as reflected by the large turnout for the 28th anniversary celebration of Ukrainian independence at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok on September 18. Mr Beshta gave The BigChilli this interview not long after the reception, and not surprisingly, his country’s struggle against Russian aggression was very much on his mind.
 
“In the coming weeks people around the world will joyfully celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays, but this will not be a festive season for millions of Ukrainians,” said Mr Beshta. “Yesterday, and the day before, and the day before, more families were plunged into grief upon learning loved ones had perished in hostile attacks launched at the command of the Kremlin.”
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Making a contribution
 
“I was born in Volyn region in the western part of Ukraine in December 1976, when we were still a part of the Soviet Union. In my school years I witnessed the collapse of the old regime and the first steps of an independent Ukraine. I believed that diplomacy would be an extremely interesting profession and hoped to make a contribution towards developing Ukraine into a democratic and prosperous nation.”
 
Mr Beshta graduated from Lviv State University’s Faculty of International Relations in 1998, and the same year began his diplomatic career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2001, just in his mid-twenties, he was assigned to the Permanent Mission of Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he served first as Second Secretary and then as First Secretary. He was appointed Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Thailand in November 2015, and arrived in Bangkok in January 2016.
 
“The last four years in Thailand have been deeply emotional for me and my family. We grieved along with the Thai people after the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. People in Ukraine know that throughout his 70-year reign, His Majesty served the country with great dignity and dedication. We also took joy in the auspicious Royal Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.

“In the time we’ve been in Thailand, we have had abundant opportunities to travel around the Kingdom and to enjoy the warm Thai hospitality and tasty food. We’ve visited Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, travelled north to Chiang Mai and South to Krabi. Moreover, we have ‘discovered’ very beautiful corners of Thailand where foreigners are rarely seen, like a place in Petchabun province where at a certain time of year you may receive unforgettable memories of the ‘sea of mist’, and Umphang District of Tak Province, which features the Thi Lo Su Waterfall – the largest in Thailand at a height of about 200 meters.”
Bilateral relations
“Ukraine and Thailand established diplomatic relations 27 years ago. The President of Ukraine came to Thailand in 2004 and met with King Bhumibol. Ukraine is very much interested in further developing bilateral cooperation with Thailand and making our relations more dynamic in several spheres. A number of important developments have taken place since I took my post as ambassador.
 
“In June 2017, then Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin paid an official visit to Thailand. In negotiations between Minister Klimkin and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, (photo) both sides stressed the importance of seeking mutual interests and discussed an agenda for medium term objectives in terms of political dialogue, trade and investment and people-to-people contacts. During that visit a bilateral trade agreement was signed which entered into force in October 2018.
 
“Last year the Royal Thai Government appointed the Thai Ambassador to Poland, H.E. Sansanee Sahussarungsi, to also represent Thailand in Ukraine. She remains at the Thai mission’s residence in Warsaw. She is the first ever Thai Ambassador to Ukraine not based in Moscow, and we of course warmly welcomed this decision.
 
“In July 2019, political consultations between our ministries of foreign affairs took place in Kyiv, allowing further discussions on a whole spectrum of issues relating to our bilateral agenda.
 
“This year has been quite momentous and challenging for both Ukraine and Thailand. I would like to convey again our congratulations on the Royal Coronation of His Majesty the King Rama X in early May. About the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected President of Ukraine, bringing new hopes of peace and prosperity to our nation. This year both Ukraine and Thailand held parliamentary elections and new governments have been formed.
 
“I believe these developments have created favourable conditions for an invigorated cooperation. We are working closely with our Thai partners on a number of ideas, including convening in the near future a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and Joint Trade Committee.
 
“In terms of trade volume, Thailand has always been among the largest trade partners of Ukraine in Southeast Asia, but there is real potential to substantially increase both trade and investment. Due to unprecedented comprehensive reforms in Ukraine, we have quickly become an exciting new investment opportunity right at Europe’s doorstep, especially in the areas of agriculture, energy, information technology, infrastructure and manufacturing.
 
“When combined with our highly skilled workforce, favorable cost-efficiency ratio, strategic geographic location, free trade pact with the EU and a rapidly improving business climate, Ukraine has much to offer for Thai business and investors.
 
“Last but not least, in order to facilitate people-to-people contacts we have achieved considerable progress in the liberalization of our respective visa regimes. In 2018 we began allowing Thai citizens who wish to travel to Ukraine for any reason to apply and obtain visas online, without the need to visit our embassy. On the other side, we highly appreciate the decision of the Thai government that entered into force in April 2019 to abolish visa requirements for Ukrainian tourists.
 
“I am confident that these steps are win-win for both countries and will help increase the number of tourists both ways. To sum up, I am quite optimistic that we are on a path to further develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.”

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Diplomat: H.E. Ouk Sorphorn- Busy times for Cambodian Ambassador in Thailand

5/11/2019

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Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
As Cambodia’s Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Ouk Sorphorn can claim to an important distinction among members of the Bangkok diplomatic corps: He represents more citizens from his home country than other Cambodian ambassadors. There are around 1.2 million Cambodians living legally in Thailand and it’s estimated that about half as many again live here illegally. At the same time, Mr Sorphorn’s embassy has the responsibility of liaising with the national missions of the 33 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Cambodia from their bases in Bangkok. It’s no surprise then that Phnom Penh has placed one of its ablest diplomats in Thailand, a country he knows very well. 
 
Mr Sorphorn served at Cambodia’s mission in Bangkok in various positions from 2007 to 2011. In March this year he commenced his second tour of Thailand, this time as ambassador. The BigChilli met the 44-year-old career diplomat recently at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.
 
Background 
“I was born into a lower middle class family in April 1975 in Kampong Cham province, which borders Vietnam. My father owns a small business and my mother is a housewife,” Mr. Sorphorn said. “I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) when I was 20 years old, in 1995, after receiving an Associate’s Degree in Economic Planning Specialization. Twenty years later, in 2015, I turned 40 and became the MFAIC’s Director-General for ASEAN. When I’m 60 I will retire, so I have another 15 years to work for the government. I joined the ministry because I wanted to promote my country’s image and reputation to the world, and it was a good decision.
 
“This is my first assignment as ambassador but the second assignment in Thailand. When I left the Royal Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok in 2011 I held the position of Charge d’Affaires, directly under the ambassador. The process of becoming my country’s ambassador began when I was appointed by His Majesty the King of Cambodia in November 2018. The Cambodian side then sent the nomination to Thailand to seek approval, which was granted in February 2019. I arrived in Bangkok in March and in April I received approval from the Thai government to function as ambassador. On May 8, I presented my credentials to His Majesty the King of Thailand. I was in a group with seven other ambassadors and was the last to present my credential to the King that day.
“Since I was assigned here the first time in 2007, the country and Bangkok have changed a lot – for the better. Just look at all the cars, the skyscrapers, the shopping malls and the infrastructure projects and you can tell whether or not the country is prospering.”

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Her Excellency Ms Eva Hager-Austrian Ambassador brings charm and multicultural expertise to Bangkok

2/10/2019

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Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
 
Her Excellency Ms Eva Hager has acquired extensive experience in the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America as well as Europe over the course of a long and successful diplomatic career. Her posting in Bangkok is her initiation to Asia.
 
Ambassador Hager came to Thailand at the end of 2017, around the time the Austrian mission moved into the newly constructed embassy built inside the same park-like compound that housed the old embassy. The new embassy in Soi ‘Nantha-Mozart’ off Sathorn Soi 1 looks super-modern, but it retains a classical feel, starting with a sign out front marking the name-change of the soi to Nantha-Mozart in 2012 to honour Austria’s most famous native son. Ambassador Hager gave a tour of the embassy compound during a wide-ranging interview.
 
At one point we spotted a long-time resident of the embassy sitting under a tree in the spacious garden. It was a splendid male peacock, who began slowly walking away when he saw us approaching. “He is a very cute, beautiful and old territorial animal who likes to be solitary. Embassy people feed him.”Ms Hager said.

Background and duties in Bangkok

“I was born in Vienna in 1957. My father was an agricultural engineer and my mother was a teacher. I joined the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 33 years ago, in 1986. I studied Arabic and political science at university and even before concluding my studies I was assigned as an interpreter to accompany Austrian ministers on trips to Arab countries and accompany other important people when they received guests and dignitaries who spoke Arabic. But what I always wanted was to be a diplomat and not an interpreter,” said Ms Hager. She was well on her way with an assignment in 1988 as attaché for political affairs at the Austrian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, and has since held a number of important positions in Vienna and around the world. As an ambassador, she formerly served in Cyprus and Mexico. (See CV in Box)
 
Asked if the posting in Thailand was her choice, she replied: “Yes, in a way. In our system you have to submit applications for several posts in order to be eligible for assignment. I was pleased to learn I had been chosen for Thailand.
 
“I am also Ambassador to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. It’s not an overloaded job for me, because while serving as Ambassador in Mexico between 2013 and 2017 I was also looking after seven other countries – Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
 
“I have to keep up with the latest information on all four countries I am ambassador to, and I do it on my own, already in the morning from my residence at the embassy compound. This is the first thing I do over breakfast or immediately after. I read Thai English-language news sources and other sources on the internet. Then I look at news from Austria, the EU and around the world.
 
“After getting acquainted with what’s going on in the world and especially Thailand and the region, I take the short walk to the embassy. I decide what the priorities are, especially in regard to Thailand, and I may call on my staff and collaborators to discuss matters and distribute tasks for them. Then I get to less pressing duties, which includes office work.
 
“Essentially, the task of an ambassador is to promote relations with the country we are assigned to in the best possible way, in all fields – politics, economic relations, culture, education, you name it. In order to do that, you have to take part in a lot of activities such as attending meetings and give presentations. You also have to participate in cultural and social events such as –but not limited to – national day receptions and organize events for guests and so on. Most of this occurs in the evening hours. You have to develop and maintain good relations with officials as well as people from the civil society in your host country.
 
“It is a very versatile and flexible job, and it requires a lot of travel. I travel to each of the other three countries I am accredited to a couple of times a year, and maybe more. It depends on whatever operations and activities, like official meetings, there may be.”

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DIPLOMATS: Her Excellency Mrs María del Carmen Martínez Arosemena- Retiring Panamanian Ambassador plans to linger a while longer in Thailand

5/9/2019

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Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
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“An important duty is providing services of merchant marine support for ships with Panamanian registry. Because Panama is the world leader in registration of merchant marine vessels, this is a high priority national interest for my country.” 
​After a term of more than four years, Her Excellency María del Carmen Martínez Arosemena is at the end of her assignment as Ambassador and Consul General of the Republic of Panama to Thailand. She will also be retiring from government service, and unlike most ambassadors she will remain in Thailand when her term is up, at least for the time being. Known as one of the most active, hard-working, elegant and charismatic members of the Bangkok diplomatic corps, during her time here Mrs Martínez has strived to put Panama on the map for the Thai people. Her decision to stay on for a while was based in part on the affection and respect she’s gained for her host country. At the beginning of our meeting, Mrs Martínez said: “First of all, I want to thank The BigChili magazine for the opportunity to give this interview and talk about my country and my diplomatic work in Thailand. At the same time, I want to give a warm greeting to the readers of this well-regarded and prestigious magazine.”
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Background
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“I should start by saying that having been engaged in the world of management, banking and business in both public and private sectors in my country, this has given me certain comparative advantages to develop a successful and pragmatic approach to my mission here. The results over the four years of my tenure as ambassador and consul general in Thailand are evidence that this approach works.
 
“Business know-how was important in carrying out initiatives to secure for Panama a better quantitative relationship with Thailand in terms of trade, investment, tourism, bilateral agreements and official and private sector visits. This was also a key to cultural initiatives which have brought about a heightened image and clearer understanding of Panama in Southeast Asia.
 
“I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama when I was appointed as ambassador and consul general to Thailand, in January 2015. Before that I served from 1990 in the Panamanian Parliament. One day the President of Panama asked me if I would like to represent my country in Thailand and I said, ‘Yes, why not?’ It was a big change, but I would still be working for the country. I arrived in the Kingdom of Thailand on April 17, 2015.
 
“In my role as ambassador I have all the usual responsibilities and activities that come with being head of a diplomatic mission in a foreign country. These include representing my country at state and royal ceremonies and functions, and promoting Panama’s interests in Thailand with regard to the state government and private sector. I negotiate deals and bilateral agreements of common interest for both countries and keep my country informed of political, economic and cultural developments in Thailand.” The ambassador said her daily agenda varies a great
deal. There is almost always a function or two to attend, be it a reception, conference, workshop or one of a number of cultural activities. Her work takes her to government offices, universities, corporate headquarters, factories, chambers of commerce and so on. Always the focus is on Panama and its relations with Thailand in areas such as
 politics, economy, culture, entrepreneurship, trade and country image.
 
“On the other hand, in my role as consul general I attend to the protection and well-being of Panamanian citizens in Thailand, both tourists and residents, as well as facilitate visa requests and so on for Thai citizens wishing to visit Panama. Another very important duty is providing services of merchant marine support for ships with Panamanian registry. Because Panama is the world leader in registration of merchant marine vessels, this is a high priority national interest for my country.”

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Diplomats: His Excellency Aziz Aliev- Consul General of Uzbekistan aims to increase  already strong ties with Thailand

12/8/2019

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Consul General of Uzbekistan aims to increase  already strong ties with Thailand.
Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER​
On the eve of the 28th anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan, which is celebrated annually since September 1st, 1991, The BigChilli interviewed the Consul General of Uzbekistan to Thailand, His Excellency Mr Aziz Aliev.

As it is customary in the East, the owner of the house (and in our case it is the head of the diplomatic mission) met us at the beautifully laid table. In accordance with the Uzbek tradition, there were many dishes of famous national cuisine: a delicious Uzbek pilaf, tender manti, appetizing soss, warm Uzbek bread and other delicious dishes. So, we began our conversation at the table and tried to get to know our host little closer.
Background

“I was born in the wonderful city of Tashkent and in the first year of my life I already went on my first long-term business trip with my parents to the Republic of Guinea in western Africa. My father worked in the field of international economic relations for many years. After spending five years in Africa, our family returned to Uzbekistan. Soon after, we moved again – this time to Bulgaria and Syria, where we spent several years. This profound experience has determined the choice of my future profession in favor of international affairs.

“The next stage in my life has also prepared me for the active life abroad: I received my education at the Tashkent University of Oriental Studies, followed by the diplomatic studies in Austria, and finally, completing a master's program in South Korea.

“Even with my previous international background, each of my next assignments in Asia, Europe and America presented me with new challenges. A changing world, faced with a growing globalization as well as with instability in various regions of the world, including in my own region of Central Asia due to the ongoing war in neighboring Afghanistan, required a special training, knowledge and efforts to protect the interests of my country in the international arena.

“I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995 and, coincidently enough, my first trip as a diplomat was to Thailand. During past years, I managed to visit many countries, meet different people, and I stayed friends with many of them to the present day.
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“It goes without saying that my career as a diplomat affected my big family. I have a beautiful wife and four charming children, who, as often happens in our profession, were born in different countries – Austria, USA, Uzbekistan and Thailand. Of course, Thailand is a special place for me – my only daughter was born here on December 5, 2018.”

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Diplomat: H.E. Mrs Kjersti Rødsmoen- New Ambassador explains why Norway is such a happy and secure country

8/7/2019

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Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
Her Excellency Mrs Kjersti Rødsmoen has been Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Kingdom of Thailand since August 2018. Her Nordic vitality and good looks make an immediate impression, and after talking to her you get the feeling that Norway has installed its A team in Bangkok for the next four years.

The short and pointed speech given by Mrs Rødsmoen at the Norwegian Constitution Day was one of the most memorable addresses of its kind in recent years.

We met last month in her office at the Norwegian Embassy on the 18th floor of the UBC II Building on Sukhumvit Road.

     Some of the photos seen here were taken at the ambassador’s residence and feature her lovely dog Remba, who devotedly followed Mrs Rødsmoen around the house and garden.

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Brazilian Ambassador: Her Excellency Mrs Ana Lucy Gentil Cabral Petersen

5/6/2019

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“There is an enormous potential to explore between our two countries.”
Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER​
Her Excellency Mrs Ana Lucy Gentil Cabral Petersen took her post as Brazilian Ambassador to Thailand in February of last year.
 
WHEN we met at her bright, sunsplashed office on the 34th floor of Lumpini Tower on Rama 4 Road, she displayed a charming humility that was refreshing in someone with such impressive credentials and title.
 
“I am not a good talker, so maybe you won’t have much to write,’’ said the Ambassador with a winning smile. As it turned out, the conversation took its own natural course and there was little need for prepared questions.
Mrs Petersen showed a thorough knowledge of all the usual subjects, and on top of that she has a good sense of humor and truly pleasant personality. She is concurrently Brazil’s Ambassador to Laos and Cambodia as well as Thailand. We were joined by her long-time friend and colleague, Minister Counsellor Jose Luiz Vieira.

Background

“I was born in the northern coastal city of Fortaleza in the state of Ceará, but my family lived in Rio de Janeiro most of the time. My parents had seven children; there are only four of us now,” said the Ambassador. She always wanted to be a diplomat, but actually first tried her hand at journalism. “After a time I realized that wasn’t for me, and I decided to try to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). This is a fierce competition, not an easy thing in Brazil, but I took the exams and did well.
 
“In 1978 I entered the Brazilian Diplomatic Academy at the Rio Branco Institute in Brasilia, which is also the location of the MFA and all government offices in Brasilia. At the time I had a married sister living there and a brother working for the Senate.”
 
Two years later she was Third Secretary at the MFA. Her assignments abroad include Washington DC; Budapest, Hungary; Kingston, Jamaica; Geneva, Switzerland; Asuncion, Paraguay; Montevideo, Uruguay and Luanda, Angola, where she took her first ambassadorial post. Her last position before coming directly to Thailand was at Brazilian Consulate-General in New York.
 
Asked which assignment had been most challenging, she said probably Paraguay or Uruguay. “Both of these countries presented quite a challenge, I can’t say one more than the other. Both share a border with Brazil, and there are very strong interregional links through MERCOSUR Mercado Común del Sur, also known as the Southern Common Market.”
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MERCOSUR is an economic and commercial grouping of countries in South America comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, as well as associate countries like Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
 
“One difference is that with Paraguay we also share the huge Itaipu Dam one the biggest hydro-electric dams in the world, located on the Paraná River.
 
“Angola also presented a challenge. Like Brazil, Angola is a former Portuguese colony, so besides other tribal dialects, Portuguese is the official language. Many slaves were sent from Angola to Brazil, and that’s a big reason why Brazil is so ethnically and culturally diverse, much more so than Thailand. You see people of every color in Brazil. We also received many migrants from Europe and from Arab countries.
 
“Many people may not know that Brazil also has the largest population of people of Japanese descent outside Japan in the Americas – about 2.5 million people. The Japanese migration to Brazil started around the beginning of 20th century. Those who arrived often married with Brazilians. People of Japanese descent, nisseis as we say, are concentrated in the southeast of the country, in Sãn Paulo, our richest state.
 
“You ask me about politics. We had general election in Brazil in October last year. Our new President, Jair Bolsonaro, began his term on January 1, and so did the vice-president, senators, governors, house representatives and so on. Now the new government has different political ideas from the previous administration that was in power. That’s democracy! The population of Brazil is about 210 million.”

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Diplomatically speaking

9/5/2019

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What foreign ambassadors and diplomats been telling us over the years Maxmilian Wechsler looks back on the 90 interviews he’s conducted for The BigChilli.
Foreign diplomats accredited to Thailand provide great benefits to the country by promoting cooperation in the spheres of diplomacy, trade, culture, law enforcement, sports, entertainment and other areas of bilateral interest.

The BigChilli, recognizing that many expats as well as Thais are interested in the perspective of foreign diplomats in Thailand, began publishing my interviews with mainly ambassadors in June 2011 and from May 2012 there has been one almost every month.
 
As the interviews consistently received a good response from readers, the number of pages allotted to them increased from three or four to six from October 2013, to give the diplomats a broader platform, allowing them to give free rein to their countries’ aspirations and even their occasionally controversial views on the world.
 
It’s said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so perhaps we should bepleased to note that other media outlets now run their own interviews with Bangkok diplomats, making them the centerpiece of their publications.
 
In the 90 interviews I have conducted with diplomats assigned to Thailand, there have been some truly memorable quotes, fascinating recollections and endless interesting observations. The following are some of the best.
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​Mr Nabil Hussein Ashri, former Chargé d’Affaires for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 2011:
“Sadly, for more than 20 years now, relations suffered from major incidents that occurred between 1989 and early1990, after the infamous jewelry theft case and the murder of a Saudi diplomat in Bangkok in 1989. In 1990 three other Saudi diplomats were also murdered in Bangkok, along with the abduction and murder of a Saudi businessman, also in Bangkok.
 
“Riyadh then decided to degrade relations due to lack of progress in these cases and failure of Thai authorities at that time to take appropriate measures to solve these crimes.
 
“The contracts of all highly insignificant skilled Thai labor in Saudi Arabia were terminated, and Saudi citizen were barred from travelling to Thailand, in light of the risk posed to their lives after the crimes and the fact that no suspects have been named or apprehended. Relations between the two countries became inactive, affecting cooperation, trade, investment and business greatly. Even today there is very limited trading between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Tourism from Saudi Arabia to Thailand, which was once a major destination for us, is much decreased.
“Despite these tremendous losses, damages and missed opportunities, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s stable and clear foreign policy has allowed for some activities to continue. For example, because Saudi Arabia is the guardian of the Holy sites, regardless of the state of its relations with any country in the world, Thai Muslims are able to perform their Holy rituals in Saudi Arabia every year, and are given all needed support and assistance by the Saudi authorities.”
Former Ambassador of the Russian Federation, His Excellency, Alexander Mariyasov, December 2011:
“Traditionally, we consider the most important (high-level visit) to be the visit of King Chulalongkorn to Russia and his meeting with Emperor Nikolas II in 1897, which resulted in the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries.

“However, many meaningful contacts took place even earlier. In 1863, the first Russian navy ship anchored at Siam. Tsesarevich (Crown Prince) Nikolas visited Siam and met King Chulalongkorn for the first time in 1891. More evidence of a close historical bond between our countries is, for example, the fact that King Chulalongkorn’s son Prince Chakrapong graduated from the General Staff’s Military Academy of the Russian Army.
 
The prince was also married to a Russian lady, Ekaterina Desnitskaya. Many people may not know that the music for the Thai Royal Anthem was written by Russian composer Peter Shchurovsky.”
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DIPLOMATS:  His Excellency Héctor Conde Almeida

5/4/2019

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​Cuban Ambassador on a mission of celebration and cooperation
Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
 
His Excellency Héctor Conde Almeida, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Thailand and Myanmar, began his term officially in April 2017 and has since become a familiar figure in the Bangkok diplomatic community. His CV clearly shows his excellent professional qualifications, with personal qualities to match. Mr Almeida comes across as a man with a deep knowledge of world affairs who is also very easy to get on with. The charm was on full display at the reception to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution held on January 29, 2018. The annual reception has become one of the most anticipated events on the diplomatic calendar.

Around 30 ambassadors and other diplomats joined Thai officials and other distinguished guests in the ballroom of the Arnoma Grand Hotel for a night to remember. The Thai and Cuban national anthems were played and the ambassador gave a short speech. Then a Cuban salsa band began playing and Mr Almeida took the floor with Elena Olivia Conde Picans, his nine-year-old daughter. Guests looked on in amazement as they danced in perfect synchronization. On the 4th floor by the swimming pool, Cuban cigars and rum were on offer. ​

The Cuban Embassy may not be as imposing as the sprawling diplomatic compounds on Wireless Road, but it has a personal touch that makes it no less impressive. Large photos of former President Fidel Castro, his brother and former President Raúl Castro and current President Miguel Díaz-Canel adorn the walls. Colorful brochures in Spanish and English are available to visitors.
 
The Ambassador’s residence is nearby, situated in a quiet neighborhood off Sukhumvit Road. Some of the photos on these pages were taken there. The ambassador’s wife, Thelma Alina Picans Esnard, who also works at the embassy, prepared breakfast for everyone.

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DIPLOMATS:  Her Excellency Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon

13/3/2019

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Bangkok posting another milestone in Philippines Ambassador’s long and lustrous career
Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
The Philippines Ambassador to Thailand, Her Excellency Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon, began her assignment in Bangkok in July 2015. She has since established a well-deserved reputation in the local diplomatic corps as a highly experienced career diplomat who is also open, sincere and down-to-earth. During our conversation at the Philippine embassy on Sukhumvit Road she revealed a passion for work in the foreign service that began well before she joined the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in June 1979. She also revealed that her assignment in Bangkok is the final chapter of a distinguished career. “This is my first and also my last ambassadorial appointment,” said the ambassador.
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“I am already 64 years old and our mandatory retirement age is 65.”
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Palawan
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Manila
Background
I was born and raised in Manila and went to a Catholic school run by nuns– Saint Rita College for elementary and part of high school. My father, who worked for the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, was seconded by the Philippine government in 1969 to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, where I finished high school at the American International School. My parents, older sister and I were all in Vienna. I am the youngest in the family. My elder brother was at that time studying in the United Kingdom. After high school I continued my studies in Germany and the UK. Having lived in Austria and Germany, I had the opportunity to learn the German language. Regrettably, I have not spoken the language for so long, but I hope to pick it up again,” said the ambassador.
 
“In those years abroad I was exposed to many new things. While studying at the international school I became interested in meeting people from different backgrounds and in international organizations. At the university, I took courses in international relations to prepare myself for a career where I could be of service to my country and our people, and at the same time have the opportunity to meet people from different countries.”
 
After passing the Foreign Service Officers’ Examinations, Ms Bernardo-Aragon joined the Department of Foreign
Affairs in Manila in 1979, where over the years she held a number of important positions. As she had hoped, her profession has also allowed her to spend a lot of time abroad. She represented her country for a number of years in Brussels and also saw extensive duty on the other side of the Atlantic, first in New York City with the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and then in Los Angeles with the Philippine General Consulate there.
 
“My very first posting abroad was as Third Secretary and Vice-Consul at the Philippine Embassy in Brussels in 1982, dealing with our bilateral relations with Belgium and Luxembourg. In 1985, the Philippine embassy and Philippine Mission to the Commission of the European Community were merged. At that time, our overseas postings were for eight years, which were reduced to six years by the Philippine Foreign Service Act in 1991. Then we return to Manila to serve in the Home Office for two or three years before we become eligible for another posting abroad,” said the ambassador. Her last position before coming to Thailand was in Manila for three years as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Internal Audit Services.
 
“I am not an accountant, nor a lawyer, so I had to have some training for that job. Establishing offices of internal audit in different government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, was a part of the government’s anti-corruption measures. My office reported directly to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.”
 
When she became eligible for a new overseas posting in 2015 and expressed interest in the Bangkok post, she was greatly honored when the President of the Philippines appointed her to her current position. “All ambassadorial appointments need to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, which is made up of members from both houses of Congress, 12 from the Senate and 12 from the House of Representatives. The Commission is chaired by the President of the Senate. There are hearings and then they vote on confirmation. This is a part of the constitution that was put in place in 1987 when we returned to democracy.”
 
While Ms Bernardo-Aragon was elated with her eventual confirmation, she had to deal with a great personal loss at that time. “I had planned to bring my mother with me here. But unfortunately, before I could do so, she passed away in September 2015. My father passed away in 2003.”

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