On ๑๒-๑๓ September ๒๐๑๘, Mrs. Busaya Mathelin, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand led the Thai delegation to attend the ๑๕th Australia-Thailand Senior Officials Talks (SOTs) hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra. The said meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Frances Adamson, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.  At the meeting, both sides discussed regional security issues, cooperation between Thailand and Australia both bilaterally and multilaterally as well as the prospect of Thailand and Australia cooperation during the upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship of Thailand in ๒๐๑๙. The Thai side noted Australia’s intention to render full support during Thailand’s ASEAN chairmanship.

 

          In addition, the delegation attended a briefing session on crisis management by Mr. Andrew Todd, First Assistant Secretary, Consular and Crisis Management Division and visited DFAT’s Crisis Center to meet with DFAT’s officials who were involved in the rescue mission at Tham Luang Cave. The delegation also met Mrs. Sarah Pearson, Chief Innovation Officer and attended a briefing session on how DFAT’s has incorporated innovation into public diplomacy and exchanged ideas on how innovation can be applied in the development of overseas aids and developmental programs.