On 10 - 11 August 2022, Mr. Bhakavat Tanskul, Director-General of the Department of Protocol, and Mrs. Chompoonut Tanskul, spouse, led a group of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representative and their spouses from 36 countries, along with executives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit the royally-initiated projects in Lop Buri and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provinces. The diplomatic excursion aims to promote Thailand’s success stories and leading role as a global development partner in sustainable, balanced and eco-friendly development based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and in conformity with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, as part of the Ministry’s projects to commemorate the Auspicious Occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary on 12 August 2022, the visit also highlights royal activities and far-sighted vision of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother on the promotion and preservation of Thailand’s craftmanship and local wisdom.

The project attracted a large number of the Diplomatic Corps as it did not only mark the first diplomatic excursion since the COVID-19 pandemic but it was also the first time that the Ministry had organized a train ride to the royally-initiated project for the Diplomatic Corps. To showcase Thailand’s renewable energy outlook, the Department of Protocol brought the Diplomatic Corps to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam to witness Thailand’s largest water management project initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. In addition, the Diplomatic Corps also visited one of Thailand’s biggest solar farms in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province operated by the BCPG Public Company Limited. This tailor-made excursion programme, therefore, is a clear manifestation of the Thai Government’s efforts on the path towards a sustainable and balanced post-pandemic recovery with the implementation of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model which has been introduced as Thailand’s overarching theme for its APEC 2022 Chairmanship. The Diplomatic Corps also visited the Arts of the Kingdom Museum and the All About Khon Learning Centre and learned about Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s lifelong work in promoting supplementary occupation and preserving Thailand’s craftmanship and artistic heritage.

On the same day, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs hosted a Welcoming Dinner, at the Classic Kameo Hotel Ayutthaya. The Diplomatic Corps were impressed by theatrical and musical cultural performances, Thai boxing or Muay Thai in particular, which were jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). A number of OTOP products and local delicacies displayed at the event also drew a large crowd.

After the one-and-a-half-day visit, the Diplomatic Corps praised the Ministry for offering them an opportunity to broaden their perspective about Thailand in different aspects and encourage the Ministry to continue to arrange such a memorable and informative diplomatic excursion annually. Besides, most of the Diplomatic Corps also wish to revisit Lop Buri and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provinces during their tenure in Thailand.

Since 2002, the Department of Protocol has organised a diplomatic excursion to royally-initiated projects for the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and their spouses annually. The programme allows the Diplomatic Corps to learn first-hand how the royal projects initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and members of the Royal Family have improved the livelihoods of ordinary Thais and strengthened local foundations toward sustainable and balanced growth. Meanwhile, the visit also serves as an important mechanism to foster closer ties of friendship and cooperation among the Ministry’s high-ranking officials, public and private sectors, and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Thailand. The project underscores the Department of Protocol’s proactive role to promote the “5S” foreign affairs strategy to achieve five keys strategic priorities: Security, Sustainability, Standard, Status, and Synergy as well as to connect Thailand to the global community and vice versa through soft power.