14 June 2011. Philippine Embassy personnel in Thailand led by Ambassador Linglingay Lacanlale commemorated the 113th anniversary of Independence Day with members of the Filipino community at the Dusit Princess Hotel in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, on 11 June 2011.  The celebration coincided with a consular outreach program held by the Embassy at the hotel on the same day. Joining the Ambassador were Consul Randy B. Arquiza, Mr. Paolo M. de Leon (Attaché), Ms. Bernadette M. Dimaano (Attaché), Ms. Lilibeth Rebustillo and Ms. Pilar Melizza Presina T. Binuya (Attaché).

In her National Day message to the community, Ambassador Lacanlale thanked them “for making us proud of your achievements.”  She also thanked the provincial and city governments for their hospitality and generosity to Filipinos who have made the city of Korat their second home. She also highlighted the excellent relations that the Philippines and Thailand continue to enjoy.  She noted that these relations “draw strength not only from government-to-government cooperation but also from the friendships formed between the peoples of our two countries.”  She also mentioned that President Benigno S. Aquino III’s visit to Thailand on 26 to 27 May 2011 further strengthened the warm and cordial relations between the Philippines and Thailand by allowing the two countries to explore new areas of cooperation, including in agriculture, the fight against drug trafficking, and disaster risk reduction and management.

The members of the community who attended the celebration were later treated to an assorted cuisine while enjoying cultural presentations by the members of the Association of Filipinos in Thailand-Isan chapter, which spearheaded the event.

The outreach program to Korat was the fourth (4th) to be undertaken by the Embassy this year.   Besides offering passport and legalization services, the mobile service also featured a dialogue between Ambassador Lacanlale and members of the Filipino community.

On the same day, Ambassador Lacanlale paid a courtesy call on Hon. Pititham Thitimontre, Vice Governor of Korat. Among the topics discussed by the Ambassador with the Vice Governor were the situation of Filipino workers in the province, the strong bilateral relations of the two countries, and the willingness of Thai authorities to assist Filipinos.

Korat is 260 kilometers from Bangkok. It is home to about 70 Filipinos, many of whom work as teachers and hotel staff. END