My time as the volunteer Australian Honorary Consul for Northern Thailand came to an end on Thursday, 21 December 2023 when the Chiang Mai consulate was closed permanently, based on a decision taken by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra. 

My appointment as Honorary Consul was ending on 6 January 2024 so DFAT decided not to reappoint me, with a view that Consular Services for the North of Thailand would be handled by the Embassy Consular Section in Bangkok, with increased Consular Outreach visits to Chiang Mai.

So in December 2023, I was provided 1.5 weeks notice to close the consulate & it was agreed that would be on 21 December 2023.

I applied for this role as advertised by the Australian Embassy in Bangkok around March/April of 2015. After the formal public service application process, I was successfully chosen for the function & the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs appointed me as Honorary Consul on 20 October 2015. At this point I was the designated Honorary Consul. At this point I was only permitted to take enquiries until I was granted an Exequatur by the Thai Government. It then took the Thai Government & Royal Office until December 2016 to grant me – an Exequatur – the authority to execute your duties in Thailand.

Just over 8 years in this role & I was proud to be representing Australia in the north of Thailand – contributing to consular services for Australians, representing Australia & belonging to the Northern Consular Corps.

The journey involved training courses for the role in Bangkok twice, & in Singapore. The job involved day to day (Mon to Thurs) answering calls and emails, taking passport applications & dealing with many varied consular matters and public diplomacy activities. While I can’t be specific, there were many interesting & unfortunate cases involving visits to local hospitals, Police stations, prisons & meeting with Australians in need due to mishap or misfortune. My involvement in Consular Cases was to handle on-ground communications & report to Bangkok Consular Section for direction/action.

Besides giving information on passport applications, how & where to get notarial services, how to register your marriage in Thailand along with many enquiries regarding visas for Australia there was regular questions on a variety of personal matters & referrals to other Government agencies to deal with. Luckily there was a Qld JP & NSW lawyer resident in Chiang Mai who could often assist clients for document services.

The role also participated in & supported the Australian Alumni Northern Chapter activities & often coordinated with local Alumni & the AAA President. The role from time to time assisted the Embassy with local participation in events, on their behalf.

In addition to running an office Monday to Thursday there was participation in the local Northern Thailand Consular Corps & attending various Thai Government and agency events – public diplomacy. It was an enjoyable aspect of the function.

With the Honorary Consul role no longer my responsibility – I was now in a permanent retirement lifestyle. The saying “when one door closes and another one opens” is something I am taking to heart and looking forward to the next chapter of my life adventures.

Ambassadors Farewell Lunch

On 16 January 2024 the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Angela McDonald, PSM, hosted a lunch for myself, Ace & a few friends/colleagues to show appreciation for my past service as Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai.

The Oxygen Restaurant at the Cross Hotel was a lovely venue to “see me off’. In recognition of my 8 years of service, an Australian Foreign Ministers certificate was awarded.

Consular Corps Northern Thailand Farewell

It was a picturesque setting at the Sunset Sala Mae Rim for a social evening & my farewell from the Chiang Mai Consular Corps. Thanks to Ben Svasti, his wife & daughter for hosting the wonderful evening of food, drinks socialising, and speeches’.

This 8-year chapter of my life is now closed. It is now onto the next new adventures in Isaan, N.E. Thailand, – to design, build, and develop our new home called- “RAce Thai Country Cottage” . . a new hobby.