On 22 May 2014, Ms. Varaporn Phuangketkeow, President of the Association of Spouses of Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ASOMFA), in her capacity as the Foreign Relations Chairperson of the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen (PPSEAWA) and Ms. Mondhiya Bhangsbha, President of the PPSEAWA, jointly organized a trip for members of the Diplomatic Corps to Prachin Buri Province. The group consisted of H.E. Ms. Robina Patricia Marks, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa, and eleven ambassadors’ spouses as well as PPSEAWA executive members.

The highlight of the trip was the visit to the Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, Thailand’s pilot school of herbal medicine and a center of holistic herbal medical services. The purpose of the visit is to introduce to foreigners the Thai alternative medicine and the use of Thai herbs, in accordance with our goal to promote Thailand as a regional hub for traditional medicine. On hand to welcome the dignitaries were Ms. Chitra Promchutima, Governor of Prachin Buri Province and  Dr. Anek Phungphol,  Director of the Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital. The group was briefed on the health benefits of Thai herbs and spices as well as the Hospital’s on-going research and development projects. They also learned about the art of Thai massage and its healing effects. The session concluded with a practice of therapeutic technique of self-massage. The excursion ended at Dasda Resort, one of Thailand’s major orchid exporters, where they discovered a diverse collection of orchids and plants in botanical gardens
and glasshouses.

The Association of Spouses of Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ASOMFA) was founded in 2002 with an initial objective of promoting friendship and close cooperation among spouses of the Ministry’s officials. Later on, it expanded the scope of activities to include spouses of the Diplomatic Corps as a means to foster closer relations and better understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Corps, which is in line with the Ministry’s efforts in its conduct of cultural diplomacy.