JAKARTA, 10 February 2015 - H.E. Ambassador Chombhala Chareonying, the new Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to ASEAN, presented his Letter of Credence to H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN, in a ceremony held at the ASEAN Secretariat today.
Reiterating that ASEAN has always been a cornerstone of Thailand’s foreign policy, Ambassador Chombhala highlighted the importance that the Government of Thailand attaches to the realisation of a cohesive, integrated and people-centered ASEAN Community. He also emphasised the critical role of the ASEAN Secretariat in the ASEAN community building process, and reassured Thailand’s full support for the strengthening of the ASEAN Secretariat, including through provision of necessary resources. He believes that strengthening the Secretariat’s capacity as the ASEAN nerve centre will assist ASEAN in achieving its objectives.
SG Minh congratulated Ambassador Chombhala on the assumption of his new duty, and looked forward to working closely with Ambassador Chombhala under the framework of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR). The Secretary-General emphasised the key role of the CPR in this historic year where ASEAN is set to establish the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015, chart out its future directions through the Post-2015 Vision, strengthen ASEAN institutions—including the ASEAN Secretariat, and intensify efforts to bring ASEAN closer to the peoples. SG Minh expressed confidence that with his vast experience with ASEAN, Ambassador Chombhala would significantly contribute to the work of the CPR in these important undertakings.
Ambassador Chombhala’s experience includes work with Thailand’s departments of Protocol, ASEAN Affairs, Information, and International Economic Affairs in Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Ambassador Chombhala Chareonying was also decorated Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.