On 24 August 2017, H.E. Mr. Eduardo Diaz Uribe, Director of the Agency for Illicit Crops Substitution of Colombia, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, along with Mom Rajawongse Disnadda Diskul, Secretary-General of Mae Fah Luang Foundation; Mr. Stefan Helming, Country Director of the German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH (GIZ) in Thailand; and H.E. Mr. Andelfo Garcia, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Thailand, during Mr. Diaz Uribe’s visit to Thailand between 23 – 31 August 2017 for a study visit at Doi Tung Development Project in Chiang Rai province and Reforestation Project in Nan province.

 

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Thailand’s readiness to support Colombia’s efforts in substituting illicit crops and expressed Thailand’s willingness to work with Colombia to pursue an Agreement in narcotic drug control similar to other projects between Thailand and other Latin American Countries. The Deputy Minister further welcomed Colombia’s interest in learning about the “King's Development Approach” with Mae Fah Luang Foundation with which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also enjoyed a long and close relationship.

 

Mr. Diaz Uribe thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, and GIZ for the warm welcome to Thailand and for inviting the Colombian delegation to learn about Thailand’s experience and best practices in eliminating illicit crops in a sustainable way. As the Colombian Government has recently reached a historical peace deal with FARC rebels in 2016, the Government is committed to eradicating illicit crops and creating sustainable means of living for the Colombian people. Mr. Diaz Uribe further noted that studying Thailand’s experience in this field will enable Colombia to shorten the time needed to fully eradicate illicit crop.