On 30 March 2009, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya welcomed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who delivered a special lecture on “Thailand’s Foreign Policy in the 21st Century” on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister’s lecture was preceded by the Foreign Minister’s opening remarks which emphasized the needs for foreign service officials to adapt to changing international political landscape and the importance of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs in the human resource development of the Ministry. More than 200 guests including senior government officials, 72 ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps in Thailand and distinguished guests as well as officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the event.
Earlier that same day, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya presided over the merit-making ceremony on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs. Privy Councillors ACM Siddhi Savetsila and M.R. Thepkamol Devakula, members of the Devakula royal family and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the ceremony. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya then opened the exhibition in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs.
The Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, or DVIFA in short, is the training arm of the Foreign Ministry. Formally established in 1984, the Institute provides both short- and long-term courses for all level of officers, as well as scholarships for overseas study and training. His Majesty the King graciously granted permission for the Ministry in 2006 to include the name of His Royal Highness Prince Devawongse Varopakarn who was Thai Foreign Minister for 38 years (1885-1923), the Father of Thai Diplomacy, in the name of the Institute.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th