On 31 August 2010, Mr. Theerakul Niyom, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony of the “2010 Consular Officials Meeting” held at the Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok, from 31 August — 3 September 2010. The Permanent Secretary was briefed by Mr. Jukr Boon-Long, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs, on the background and objectives of the Meeting. The ceremony was attended by high ranking officials of the Foreign Ministry, as well as consular officials from 91 Royal Thai Embassies, Royal Thai Consulates-General, and Thailand Trade and Economic Office Taipei. In addition, the heads of Temporary Passport Offices from various provinces also took part in the event. The Foreign Ministry has invited several guest speakers from the Ministry and other relevant agencies to brief and exchange views with the participants.
The 2010 Consular Officials Meeting aimed at enhancing awareness on the importance of consular affairs, which is a major public diplomacy of the Royal Thai Government. The Meeting also serves as an important forum for the Thai consular officials to share their knowledge, experience and best practices among one another so as to enhance the efficiency of the Foreign Ministry’s consular affairs. This year, the Meeting highlighted the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on governmental assistance to distressed Thai nationals abroad, the legalization, the use of the new visa system, the regulation on overseas elections, and the latest development of the “e-passport Service.”
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