JULY 27 — Damrong Kraikruan was at the porch of his residence to welcome me. Next to him were two young ladies Rungwara Angsathammarat (Mint) and Wantira Noisiri (Ann).
Damrong is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to Malaysia. Mint and Ann are undergoing the Public Service Executive Development Programme; a three-month attachment to the ambassador’s office as part of their elite civil service training.
Their embassy is located on an almost three-acre plot in Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur, bought for 97,000 Malayan dollars in late 1957. Thailand was one of the first countries to recognise the newly independent Malaya.
Hanging on the wall of the private visitors’ lounge is a large painting of King Bhumibol Ayulyadej by Indonesian Raden Basuki, commissioned between 50 and 60 years ago. It was valued at RM2 million in 2012, not that it will be in the market anytime.
Career diplomat
Damrong (born 1960) joined the Foreign Ministry in 1985 after graduating from Thammasat University.
He had been desk officer for Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Myanmar, director of East Asia Division 1 (Maritime SEA), and director-general of East Asia.
His overseas stints were in Manila, Berlin, as Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington and as Consul-General in Los Angeles, and, from February last year, in Kuala Lumpur.
Their stay period is normally between two and four years.
He is married to Suwanna Phukpat and they have two children.
Damrong had always excelled in his studies and a mentor-lecturer had mapped out his route to the academia, with Cornell as the next stop. Then, a university mate talked him into sitting for the Foreign Service exams.
There were 5,200 people who sat for the written test and 100 made the grade. Next, was a three-day camp where they were closely observed, especially on teamwork participation and composure. Finally, he was one of the 22 selected.
This “intensive and extensive” selection process, as Damrong puts it, was introduced in 1983. His batch was in 1984.
Prior to 1980, up to 50 per cent of ambassadorial appointments were political, mostly from the military. It is now firmly a Foreign Service enclave. Thailand has 100 missions worldwide, comprising 70 embassies and 30 consulates. In China alone, there are 10 missions.
Some earnest questions
What is the real intent of the Aug 7 constitutional referendum? Is it to formalise the military’s role in government, like in Myanmar, I asked?
It is purely to strengthen democratic principles and practices. It was felt that too much power had rested with the prime minister’s office. The constitution is re-drafted to spread influence as equally as possible to all stakeholders, i.e. the entire cross-section of society, as presently it is skewed towards the rich and powerful. It also seeks to tighten political parties’ agenda with the focus towards good governance.
I heard Prime Minister General Prayuth has garnered quite a following?
Yes, his approval rating is quite high. The people trust his intentions. He is not holding to political power for personal grandiosity. You will note that unlike elsewhere, Thai people do acknowledge the military’s role in keeping peace. It is quite a common sight to see soldiers on duty being greeted with respect and appreciation.
Is the movie The King and I (1956 musical) banned?
I have seen it. I don’t believe it is banned. It is accepted as “historical fiction.”
Why do we think there are more transvestites in Thailand than anywhere else?
(A chuckle) I think it is purely the result of our openness — “to each his own” philosophy. This allows the people to be themselves and that’s why the perception. Did you know we have toilets for the third gender (Pet Thisam)?
Our armed forces accept gays. We have the Administrative and Constitutional courts introduced in 1997, besides the traditional Civil and Criminal courts, the former of which deals with discrimination based on gender, including the third, race and religion and other human rights issues. By the way, gender reassignment surgery is a huge business in Thailand. I think we are well-known for our safe and proficient procedures.
Your judiciary is famous for being fiercely independent, care to comment?
Yes, the judiciary is completely independent of the executive. They manage entirely on their own. The appointment structure places judges on an exalted position, with a different scale in tenure, salary and perks. They are our bedrock for justice, literally acting on behalf of our King.
There was never an instance in our political upheavals that the judiciary was implicated or affected in any way, much less questioned.
A court sitting is always made up of a minimum three judges and goes up to nine judges, depending on the weight of the issue.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been a little quiet lately?
TAT is known worldwide as one of the most successful tourism promotion entities. They may have reduced their advertising spending but their below-the-line budget is still significant. Our last year’s record shows an increase of 30.99 per cent tourist arrivals from Malaysia. Your country’s tourist arrivals are second only to China.
Tell us about your embassy location in Singapore.
In 1871 it was just a four-acre plot purchased under orders from King Chulalongkorn. In time, it became part of bustling Orchard Road. There have been countless purchase offers but our government policy remains resolute in its refusal; so as to respect the wishes and to cherish the legacies of our forefathers.
Postscript
They identify themselves as “Thai,” even though like all South-east Asian nations, many are a “mish mash” of Southeast Asian ethnicities. It follows that there are no race-based political parties, or even religion-based.
And the “land of smiles” has great beauties too. Thailand has produced two Miss Universe, in Apasra Hongsakula (1965) and Porntip Nakhirunkanok (1988).
Aren’t their Pet Thisam toilets a blast?
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
