BANGKOK – The Honorary Consuls Association (Thailand), dedicated to strengthening connections among honorary consuls in the country, celebrated its 12th anniversary.
The event, a collaboration between the InterContinental Hotels Group (IGH) and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), enjoyed the presence and warm greetings of ambassadors from over 50 countries, including more than 40 member consuls, along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, among others. The festivities took place at the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok.
Dr. Chumpol Phornprapha, the Honorary Consul-General of the Republic of Fiji in Thailand and President of the Honorary Consuls Association (Thailand), shared his sentiments on the 12th anniversary:
“It is a valuable opportunity for our members to unite, fostering stronger connections through the annual tradition of exchanging ideas and mutual support. Currently, foreign honorary consuls in Thailand represent over 100 countries, with 71 consuls actively participating as members of the association.
Our goal is to expand our membership, thereby amplifying the association’s strength. Despite the challenges posed by the spread of the COVID-19 virus over the past three years, disrupting social gatherings, today everything is returning to normal.
The association acknowledges the vital role of promoting diplomatic negotiations between countries, with its members poised to be significant voices in public relations, spanning the economic, trade, investment, and tourism sectors. All of this is in pursuit of fostering strong international relations.”
Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, the Honorary Consul-General of the Republic of Maldives in Thailand and Advisor to the Honorary Consuls Association (Thailand), as well as Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, underscored the crucial role of honorary consuls as bridges between the recipient and represented countries.
Each honorary consul serves as a coordinator, promoting public relations and facilitating access at every level for the benefit of their respective countries. He emphasized the importance of aligning economic development with diplomatic efforts.
The event was celebrated with a vibrant international-themed banquet for the diplomats, featuring a diverse culinary experience. The event was capped off with a lively concert performance by the Burin Band, providing a joyous and entertaining conclusion to the festivities.
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