On 12 January 2010, Mrs. Laura Thompson Chacon, Deputy Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), along with IOM heads of mission in Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Foreign Ministry, on the occasion of her visit to Thailand to introduce herself since assumption of office last September.
Mrs. Chacon elaborated on the works of IOM in various fields such as counter-trafficking, raising awareness, training, health, migrants’ rights and obligations, resettlement, etc. She praised Thailand on excellent track record in collaborating and active participating with IOM in elevating the widespread migration related problems in the region. She also took this opportunity to inform Foreign Minister Kasit on the structural reform that IOM is going through including the organisation’s intention to upgrade its regional office in Thailand to oversee all the IOM offices in Asia and Australia.
Foreign Minister Kasit emphasised Thailand’s consistency in upholding the spirit of transparency when dealing with migration-related issues. He also reiterated Thailand’s readiness in being a centre for international organisation in the region and providing financial support to IOM as well as enhancing capacity of its related agencies in dealing with the multifaceted migration challenges and problems. Both sides agreed that educating local authorities to familiarize them with the rights and obligations is one way to achieve the goals.
The IOM was established in 1951 with headquarters in Geneva as the main international body in dealing with the human migration and related issues. Thailand became a member of the IOM in 1986. The IOM office in Bangkok was upgraded to regional office covering the Mekong sub-region in 2001.
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