The Third Special Visit to Thailand of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York comprises foreign dignitaries from 17 countries, including Afghanistan, the Republic  of Albania, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Guinea Bissau, the Republic of Guinea, the United Republic of Tanzania,  the Republic of Georgia, the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Gambia, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the  Kingdom of Bhutan, the Republic of Cabo Verde, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Guatemala. Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives from these countries traveled to Thailand during 3 – 9 August 2015 on the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  They paid a courtesy call on General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on 8 August 2015, after which he hosted a dinner for the visiting dignitaries.

          On the occasion of this Third Special Visit to Thailand, the foreign dignitaries also paid a courtesy call on General Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the Prime Minister of Thailand on 7 August 2015, visited and learned about the Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates (ELFI) Project initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol at the Women’s Central Correctional Institute,  and on 6 August 2015 paid a courtesy call on General Worapong Sanganetra, the Chief of Defence, after which they listened to presentations from Thai peacekeepers who shared their experiences as part of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.  In addition, the foreign dignitaries participated in a Roundtable Discussion on “Challenges and Opportunities in Translating Commitments on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) into Action” on 5 August 2015.

         The foreign dignitaries also had an opportunity to visit other important sites such as the Royal Grand Palace as well as visited Royal Development Projects which exemplify the success and further potential of development from the Thai experience at the Huay Sai Royal Development Project in Hua Hin. They also visited Silpa Paendin (Arts of the Kingdom Exhibition).

        The Third Special Visit is envisioned to strengthen and promote a network of “Friends of Thailand” in the international arena and to enhance understanding of Thailand’s constructive role in peace and security, and the promotion of human rights and sustainable development, which represent the three pillars of the United Nations.  Additionally, the foreign dignitaries had a first-hand opportunity to hear about the Thai government’s policies and priorities.