On 27^th January 2020, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, presided over the closing ceremony of the 15^th Training Programme for Students from Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces, at Buakaew Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Chainarong Keratiyutwong, Ambassador attached to the Ministry, Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from the Office of Policy and Planning and Temporary Passport Office in Yala Province.

Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, reported the Minister of Foreign Affairs on thr wide range of activities participated by 30 students from 3 universities namely Songkhla University, Fatoni University,and Rajabhat University in Yala Province, which highlighted various aspects of Thailand’s development. She reported that engagement with representatives from the government and private sectors as well as community groups helped build the participants’ confidence and communication skills. Furthermore, the programme had provided moral support and inspiration to these dedicated students whose high moral values and ethics earned them a place on the programme.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the students on the mission and role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in steering forward Thailand’s foreign policy and referred to his visits and meetings with various Foreign Ministers in January 2020, in which long-standing bonds of friendship were reaffirmed. Views on issues of mutual concern were exchanged, and current issues such as water management and the outbreak of Coronavirus were discussed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also emphasised the importance of human resources development, notably the Ministry’s youth project called “Young Ambassadors of Virtue”. This project was designed to instill a sense of morality and social responsibility in students at primary school level. The project has successfully orientated students towards good citizenship to promote the country’s development.

On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented certificates to students upon the completion of their training programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was asked by students with much enthusiasm on the opportunity to join the Thai foreign service as diplomats. A representative of students present expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, for giving them an opportunity to learn about the country’s foreign service. He also urged the Ministry to continue this useful programme in the future.

In the evening session, the participants performed Southern cultural dances as a token of their gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was attended by Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dusit Manapan, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, and Mr. Natapanu Nopakun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information.