On 3 September 2010, at the Foreign Ministry, Mr. John Allen, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on the occasion of his participation in the 8th Thai-New Zealand Senior Officials’ Talks (SOT) in Thailand.
Foreign Minister Kasit stated that he had attended the meeting of rectors of Thai universities and learnt that Thailand is still in need of English teachers. Thailand aimed to have at least one English teacher per school. He viewed that New Zealand has potential in the area and wished to seek cooperation with New Zealand to improve the skill of English language teachers in Thailand. Mr. Allen informed the Thai Foreign Minister that New Zealand is ready to cooperate on the matter by sending New Zealand’s English teachers to train local English teachers in Thailand or receiving English teachers from Thailand to be trained in New Zealand.
Furthermore, both sides exchanged views on administrative issues, especially the transparent and accountable government procurement, as well as implementation of good governance in New Zealand. Both sides also exchanged views on experience and lesson learned of the New Zealand government on good governance.
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