Ambassador Paredes presents Governor Somchai with a painting of a mother and child by a Filipino artist (credit: Tak Provincial Government official photo)

BANGKOK, 08 September 2023 - Philippine Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Millicent Cruz Paredes paid a courtesy call on Tak Governor Somchai Kijcharoenrungroj on 06 September 2023 at the provincial capital of Mueang Tak, with the urgent needs of the Filipinos caught in the tide of the trafficking in persons crisis in Southeast Asia at the forefront of the Ambassador’s agenda.

The Ambassador successfully conducted an official visit to Mae Sot, Tak Province in northwest Thailand, on 05-07 September 2023. Her visit to Tak was designed to strengthen the Embassy’s coordination with the Office of the Governor and local government officials as the Embassy’s key partners on the ground, on how to most effectively and efficiently help Filipinos in distress or needing special assistance. The Ambassador and Governor Somchai agreed to continue both sides’ active campaigns advising the public against false online advertisements promising lucrative jobs as “customer service representatives” or “call center agents” in Thailand. The Embassy has issued advisories reminding the public to carefully scrutinize job offers and to go through the proper Philippine Government channels for migrant workers and acquire the necessary Thai work visa.

Governor Somchai thanked Ambassador Paredes for personally bringing the plight of Filipinos to his attention and assured her of the Tak government’s continued support and assistance for all Filipinos in the province in their time of need.

Ambassador Paredes likewise assured the Governor of the full support and cooperation of the Philippine Embassy, with both sides reiterating their mutual commitment to working closely with each other.

Ambassador Paredes also took the opportunity to thank Governor Somchai for the warm hospitality of the government and people of Tak for the local Filipino community, of about 60 Overseas Filipinos working as teachers, volunteers, and garment factory employees. Governor Somchai recognized the Filipino community’s contribution to the education and upskilling of the Thai people, including the many Filipino teachers in Thailand who have taught generations of Thai children the English language.

On 07 September 2023, Ambassador Paredes met with the Royal Thai Police and Tak Immigration officials at their provincial headquarters in Mae Sot to discuss the details of the enhanced collaboration between the Embassy and Tak province.

Police Major General Khemmarin Hassiri, Commander of the National Central Bureau, Interpol Bangkok and Head of the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police, briefed the Ambassador on the actions taken and ongoing responses of the Royal Thai Government to resolve the trafficking problem.

Police Colonel Bornwonnphop Soontornlekha, Immigration Superintendent of Tak Province, outlined the procedure of the Thai Government for foreigners with immigration problems. He also assured the Ambassador that Tak Immigration will process any Filipino as quickly as possible, in line with Thai law and regulations, so that they can be repatriated home to the Philippines at the earliest opportunity.

Ambassador Paredes valued the open discussion with General Khemmarin and Colonel Borwonnphop, and positively responded to their request for the Embassy’s help in further raising the awareness of Filipinos on the trafficking in persons crisis.

Ambassador Paredes’s official visit to Tak is part of her regular series of official calls on the provincial governors across Thailand. At every opportunity, she proudly shares with the governors the contribution of the Filipino community to Thai society, as well as conveys the readiness of the Embassy to work closely with them to ensure the Filipino community’s continued welfare. END