THAILAND'S NEW AMBASSADOR INITIATES DIPLOMATIC DUTIES IN SAMOA
In a formal ceremony on November 29, 2023, His Excellency Mr. Waravuth Pouapinya, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Independent State of Samoa, officially presented his credentials to Samoa's Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. This event marked the beginning of Ambassador Pouapinya's official responsibilities in representing Thailand in Samoa.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Pouapinya underscored the enduring friendly relations between Thailand and Samoa, dating back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1978. He expressed Thailand's eagerness to strengthen these relations, particularly in the realms of agriculture, technology, and tourism. The Ambassador emphasised the shared values and common goals that provide a solid foundation for mutually beneficial collaboration in the near future.
In response, the Head of State congratulated Ambassador Pouapinya on his appointment and highlighted the 45th anniversary of formal relations between the two nations. He acknowledged the ongoing cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, climate change resilience, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The Head of State expressed confidence in the potential to expand cooperation into additional areas and anticipated that the new Ambassador's appointment would create more opportunities to fortify the ties between Samoa and Thailand.
Providing insight into Ambassador Pouapinya's background, it was noted that he is a seasoned diplomat with a career spanning since 1987. He has served in various roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, including diplomatic assignments in London and Tokyo. Ambassador Pouapinya's diplomatic journey also includes serving as the Ambassador of Thailand to the United Arab Emirates in 2018 and assuming the role of Ambassador to New Zealand in 2022, with accreditation to Samoa, Cook Islands, and Niue.
This diplomatic exchange marks a significant step in fostering continued collaboration and friendship between Thailand and Samoa, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in the years to come.