HIS Excellency Andelfo Garcia began his term in April 2013. Since then the Colombian Ambassador to Thailand and his wife Astrid, who was present during the interview, have become a highly visible and respected duo in the local diplomatic community. They were both delighted when they learned that Mr Garcia had been chosen to head the embassy here and have thoroughly enjoyed their time in the Kingdom. “We don’t know yet when my term in Thailand will end. We could be here for another few months or maybe a year; we are definitely not in a hurry to leave,” said Mr Garcia at the couple’s residence on the 64th floor of a high-rise in central Bangkok.
    
“Before I took my ambassadorial post, my family visited Thailand for the first time as tourists in 2007. I had travelled in Asia, to China, India, Korea and Japan, but it was my first time in Southeast Asia. There were many surprises waiting for me here and I learned a lot about Thailand during that trip. However, after I arrived in 2013 to take my post I realised that Thailand had seen many changes since the visit in 2007. First of all, Bangkok now seems even more modern and vibrant. There are more activities going on, more tourists everywhere and lots of economic development. I could see many positive changes, especially in terms of economy, infrastructure and public services.

HER Excellency Dato’ Nazirah Hussain’s first major encounter with Bangkok’s vibrant diplomatic corps was at the Shangri-La Hotel in September 2011. Many of the guests at the Malaysian National Day reception were asking about the woman in the beautiful hijab who was hosting the festivities. At the time she was barely three months into her assignment and a virtual unknown. More than five years on she’s still here and easily one of the most recognisable and most active diplomats in Thailand.
    
A short interview with the ambassador appeared in the May 2012 issue of The BigChilli, and she recently made time in her busy schedule to provide an update in her office at the impressive Malaysian embassy compound off South Sathorn Road.
    
The embassy consists of several low-rise buildings surrounded by tall buildings that weren’t there in the past. A number of other embassies in Bangkok are now in the same situation and in some of them, it’s a source of discontent. Ambassador Hussain declined to comment on this point. “I enjoy living at the embassy compound because it’s not far from my office,” she said with a laugh.
    
“The embassy was opened in 1956, actually just before we gained independence from Britain in 1957. We have about 30 Malaysians working here plus 20 Thai staff. The visa section is separate from the embassy compound but close by. We also have a consulate in Songkhla.”
    
Ms Hussain made it clear that she feels “very lucky and privileged” to be posted in Thailand. “It is a wonderful place, and the best part is the Thai people. They are hospitable and welcoming. Thailand is truly the ‘Land of Smiles’.”

HER Excellency Mrs Eat Sophea has been the ambassador from Thailand’s neighbour to the east for just over a year. In that short time she has already become recognized and respected for her abilities and hard work by Bangkok’s large diplomatic community, Thai government organizations and also the thousands of Cambodian citizens who live in Thailand.

It is her first ambassadorial assignment, which inevitably adds stress to the job. What’s more, the fact that her country shares a border with Thailand means she has a heavier workload than most ambassadors from more distant countries.

It is unfortunate that of the 50-plus countries on the African continent, only five have established embassies in Thailand. The Kingdom of Morocco is one of these, having opened its embassy in 1994 (Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt are the other four, while Ghana has a consulate) and therefore The BigChilli is pleased to bring readers this extensive interview with Abdelilah El Housni, Ambassador of His Majesty the King of Morocco to the Kingdom of Thailand. 

Mr El Housni is sophisticated, energetic and highly motivated to improve bilateral relations between his country and Thailand. This task is made easier by the fact that relations are already excellent, inspired by both their Kings and Royal Families and also because many people in Thailand and the world over are intrigued and even fascinated by the exotic North African nation. 

LOCATED on the 16th floor of Sathorn City Tower, the Royal Belgium Embassy enjoys a bird’s-eye view of one of the city’s most interesting quarters and provided a stimulating environment for a lively interview with His Excellency Marc Michielsen, ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Beginning with background information on Thai-Belgian relations, the ambassador displayed a quick wit and comprehensive knowledge of the subject throughout the conversation.

“The Belgian consulates in Manila and Singapore were the first to be established in the region. As early as 1835, the consuls there were instructed to travel to the Kingdom of Siam and establish links.

IF you picture an ambassador as someone who always wears a dark suit and sees the city from the back of a black limousine, meeting His Excellency Dénes Tomaj may come as a shock. The emissary of Hungary in Thailand can often be seen strolling along Sukhumvit Road wearing shorts, a T-shirt and sneakers.

On several times I have run into him so attired at Bei Otto bakery and restaurant inside Soi 20, and if I hadn’t also seen him dressed to the nines at various diplomatic functions I would swear he was just another laid-back, happy tourist in the Land of Smiles.

Mention of these encounters at Bei Otto elicited a broad smile from Mr Tomaj. “I like to walk on the street in my shorts and see how the locals live, how they sit on the roadside eating and taking photos,” he said. But while he comes across as an unpretentious, regular sort of fellow, his background and diplomatic credentials are truly impressive. At the end of the interview Mr Tomaj revealed that this is the last assignment in a distinguished career.

WITHIN the spacious compound of the South Korean embassy in Bangkok is a massive building that resembles both a palace and a fortress. The Korean-style structure in Huay Kwang District, not far from the Thai Cultural Center, contains the embassy offices presided over by His Excellency Jeon Jaeman.

The compound also contains the ambassador’s residence and the chancery building. Altogether it’s a fitting image for a true “Asian tiger.”

Ambassador Jeon later explained that the main building of the embassy was designed by late Kim Joongup, a famous architect born in North Korea who went on to design a number of famous monuments, landmarks and buildings in South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Mr Jeon is understandably proud of the embassy and he’s happy to be posted in Bangkok. 

Few people in Thailand know much about Colombia and although the reverse is also true, this may be about to change with the re-opening of the Colombian embassy at the Athenee Tower on Wireless Road. “We closed our embassy here in 1998 due to budgetary reasons,” said His Excellency Andelfo Garcia, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the Kingdom of Thailand, at start of our recent interview at the impressive new embassy quarters.

“Colombia first opened an embassy in Thailand in 1992. When the financial crisis ravaged Asia starting in 1997, we in Latin America also faced a financial crisis. Therefore, my government closed many embassies around the world, including in Thailand. Hopefully, this embassy will remain open without interruption.”

HIS Excellency Adel Yousif Sater from the Kingdom of Bahrain may hold the record amongst the current Bangkok diplomatic corps for juggling the most ambassadorial assignments at once. Besides being his country’s top envoy to Thailand he also oversees his country’s relations with Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and ASEAN. During our recent interview, the dedication and passion he brings to the job was evident.

“It is hard work to look after seven countries with but a few staff consisting of Bahraini diplomats and 15 locals, but I think we manage very well,” said Mr Sater in his embassy office on the 31st floor of Sathorn Nakorn Tower on North Sathorn Road. “I have a very good team in Bangkok. I visit all countries regularly every few months and also whenever there is a high-level visit from a Bahraini government official.”