Published on September 18, 2023, at 4:16.
Nalinee Taveesin, the newly appointed Thai trade representative, responded to media reports on Sunday that cast doubt on her background and qualifications, claiming that all previous errors had been resolved.
She was making reference to her alleged business relationships with the sanctioned government of then-Zimbalan president Robert Mugabe, which led to a blacklisting by the US Department of the Treasury around ten years ago. After she was appointed a Thai industry representative for the Yingluck Shinawatra leadership, her punishment was made public.
When the accusations were made public in January 2012, Ms. Nalinee steadfastly insisted that her interactions with the Mugabe family were completely social. The Office of Ombudsman received a grievance, reviewed it, and found no evidence against her.
On September 13, the government approved Ms. Nalinee’s selection as a business consultant for the Srettha Thavisin management. Reports about the US punishment resurfaced soon after her visit was announced.
In response to accusations, Ms. Nalinee stated that her title is no longer on any sanctions record and that she has US government-issued paperwork to back up her assertion.
” I have a card for the US, and I’ve received several invitations to participate in the Fourth of July festivities, including this time.”
According to Ms. Nalinee, who likewise held the position of PM’s Office Minister during the Yingluck administration, the authorities checked her credentials before she was appointed.
Ms. Nalinee responded that she has no home ties to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin when asked if she was related to him. She claimed that she had just recently met him at a political function.