On 8 May 2017, Ms. Praya Lundberg, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, to introduce herself as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. 

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulated Ms. Praya on her appointment, and expressed his confidence that as a Goodwill Ambassador, she will help raise the public’s awareness on the global refugee situation and the work of the UNHCR to help resolve it. 

 

Ms. Praya shared her experiences on the visit to temporary shelters of Myanmar displaced persons in Thailand and refugee camps in Jordan which are one of the biggest refugee camps in the world. Ms. Praya expressed her wish to help raise awareness among the general public as well as her support and readiness  to cooperate with the Royal Thai Government in the future. 

 

During the discussion, views and opinions on the situation of refugees and displaced persons around the world were exchanged. The Minister and Ms. Praya also talked about conflicts in the countries of origin, responsibilities of the Thai Government towards different groups of persons in Thailand, as well as possible cooperation on education and other assistance for young people in Thailand. 

 

The robust partnership between Thailand and the UNHCR has spanned over 40 years. Some of the noteworthy cooperation includes the support on humanitarian assistance to different groups of displaced persons and asylum seekers in Thailand, as well as the resettlement and the return of Myanmar displaced persons in Thailand in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.