Maris Sangiampongsa has been officially appointed as Thailand’s new foreign minister, following a royal endorsement published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday (May 1).
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin nominated the 66-year-old retired diplomat to replace Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, who resigned from both his positions as foreign minister and deputy prime minister after a recent cabinet reshuffle.
With a career spanning several decades in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maris has held various key positions, including advisory roles and ambassadorial postings in Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. His academic background includes an MA in Political Science from Ohio University.
Maris’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Thailand, which is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to address the escalating civil conflict in Myanmar. The government has been actively involved in delivering humanitarian aid to Myanmar and is working to catalyze dialogue between the conflicting parties. Thailand’s role as a mediator in this crisis is part of a broader push by ASEAN to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, despite challenges in gaining cooperation from Myanmar’s government. (NNT)
