Finding a political solution to the conflict in Myanmar is a challenge for the retired minister.
PUBLISHED: 1 May 2024 at 11: 00
His Majesty the King endorsed withdrew minister Maris Sangiampongsa as the nation’s fresh foreign minister, the Royal Gazette announced on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin nominated Mr Maris, 66, to achieve Parnpree Bahiddha- Nukara, who resigned , on Sunday after he lost the place of deputy prime minister, which he held continuously, in the case change.
Mr. Maris resigned from Thanulux Plc’s committee on Monday, citing “personal factors” in his letter to the Thai Stock Exchange, to allow him to accept a cabinet position.
A past career minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Maris was a part of Mr Parnpree’s advisory group. He and former top Thaksin Shinawatra, who served as foreign minister in 1994 under the Chuan Leekpai authorities, have a tidbit of chemistry.
Mr. Maris, an attaché at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1986, was assigned to Brussels in 1989, and he holds an MA in social knowledge from Ohio University. After that, he went back to Thailand and held a number of opportunities at the ministry’s office before being appointed as the first secretary at the Thai consulate in Berlin in 2007. A series of ambassadorial postings followed, to Nepal ( 2009 ), Australia ( 2011 ), New Zealand ( 2015 ) and Canada ( 2018 )
His visit comes at a critical moment, as Thailand intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing fight in neighboring Myanmar, where an ethnic minority armies and a resistance movement are at odds with one another.
In a charitable program to elicit dialogue between the conflicting tents, the government launched support to Myanmar in March.
Following the failure of its peace plan to take effect in the three decades since it was announced, Thailand has been pressing Asean to be more proactive in trying to find a remedy. The regime’s refusal to engage their competitors has irked a number of key players.
” The direction is still there from the prime minister … ( for Thailand ) to be this kind of facilitator, mediator for the way forward in Myanmar”, said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University.
” That purpose is still there but the technicians, they will have a lot to create up for”, he said.