On 27 November 2024, Mr. Paisan Ruapanichkit, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) jointly presided over the soft-opening ceremony of“Vithes Lounge,” which was renovated with contributions from the Royal Thai Government as part of the Seismic Mitigation and Life-Cycle Replacement Project for the renovation and structural enhancement of the ESCAP premises.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation for the continued close collaboration between the Ministry and ESCAP, particularly on this renovation project, given that Thailand is both a UN member state and the host country. The name “Vithes Lounge” was inspired by the Vithes Samosorn at the Ministry, while the word “Vithes,” meaning foreign or external affairs in Thai language, reflects the hope that visitors, ranging from UN member states, officers, to guests, will benefit from this space in conducting their conversations and collaborative activities onwards.