Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs paid a field visit to Chiang Rai province to engage in dialogue with local agencies and inspect consular services, before attending the 2/2024 mobile cabinet meeting in Pha Yao province.

On 18 March 2024, H.E. Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid a field visit to Chiang Rai province to engage in dialogue with representatives of local government and private agencies, as well as inspect consular services, before attending the 2/2024 mobile cabinet meeting in Pha Yao province.

The Deputy Foreign Minister visited Chiang Saen Port and received a briefing by representatives of local government agencies and private sector. They exchanged views on the current situation of cross-border trade of Chiang Rai province, with an estimated amount of around THB 100,000 million (USD 2.78 billion) in 2023, tourism, and transportation connectivity between Thailand and Lao PDR and Myanmar, as well as southern provinces of China. The meeting also discussed problems of transboundary haze and transnational crimes. Recommendations from the field will be an important input for the Royal Thai Government’s economic diplomacy, which aims to create more economic opportunities and enhance the livelihoods of the Thai people.

In the afternoon, the Deputy Foreign Minister visited the Chiang Rai Temporary Passport Office at Central Chiang Rai, where he was welcomed by Mrs. Kakanang Amranand Enlart, Head of the Chiang Rai Temporary Passport Office, and the office’s staff. On this occasion, the Deputy Minister gave policy guidance on people diplomacy, emphasizing fast, convenient, and people-centered service as a priority. He also attaches importance to adopting technology and innovation to enhance passport services. The Chiang Rai Temporary Passport Office is one of the pilot offices with passport self-service kiosks, which have been well-received by the public.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the need to collaborate more closely between the Chiang Rai Provincial Office and other relevant agencies to elevate the well-being of the people in Chiang Rai and nearby provinces, especially the duty to protect Thai nationals abroad. This requires proactive outreach efforts in raising awareness and alerting the local population not to fall prey to human trafficking schemes or job scamming.