Blog Ambassador Kees Rade (28)

Dear compatriots,

I ended my previous blog on an optimistic note; the Covid epidemic had now entered its final phase, the vaccinations should really have an impact soon.

A month later I unfortunately have to admit that I was a bit too positive. Many of you, like me, are in a de facto lockdown. No travel unless absolutely necessary, and the fact that infections have recently been reported on 7 flights to or from Phuket shows that this is not an unnecessary precaution. No restaurants or cafes open except for takeaway. No cinemas, no theatres, no audiences at sporting events. And the fitness facilities and the parks are also closed. In short, another period that we should try to get through as best as possible. As an embassy, ​​we can do little more than advise you to try to protect yourself as best as possible. Together we hope that the measures taken will have a positive effect, and that the Thai government will also be able to (finally…) set up a serious vaccination campaign.

The month of April was also emphatically dominated by the ongoing pandemic. Many events postponed or cancelled, and many meetings behind the iPad or computer screen instead of physically together.
For us, the cancellation of the King's Day festivities was of course a major downer. The reception for our business contacts, the free market in the garden of the residence, and of course the big Oranjefeest, all highlights in a normal year. This time only an online exhibition of photos about King's Day in the Netherlands made by alumni, Thais who studied in the Netherlands, and a message to all Dutch people on our social media. Unfortunately, it is no different, and compared to the misery that the pandemic is causing in many parts of the world, this disappointment is bearable.

The lockdown will also have a major impact on our activities in May. For example, due to the circumstances we will have to have the annual commemoration of the dead on May 4 in a very slimmed-down formula. In any case, we are pleased that NVT, NTCC and Thailand Business will lay the usual wreaths together with us. Between 15 and 17 p.m., those interested who want to come for a moment of commemoration and the laying of flowers are very welcome. Of course taking into account the COVID measures.
An intended trip to Hua Hin's NVT has also been postponed, while other trips have been put on hold for a while. Again, unfortunately it is no different.

There were still a few events in the past month.
For example, we had a public – COVID-proof – meeting of the board of the Thai alumni association in the residence at the beginning of April. Always a pleasure to meet members of this group. It is always interesting to see how positively these alumni think back to their time in the Netherlands. We ourselves are often confronted with those aspects of Dutch society that are in the news, and good news simply isn't news. It is therefore sometimes useful to hear from our alumni, almost always dressed in orange, about their time in our country. And moreover, they are of course a useful source of information for us, after their studies they have often progressed in all kinds of sectors in which we are also active.

In addition, the dramatic events in Myanmar have also caused commotion in Thailand. Thailand's interests in this conflict are great. A long common border, potentially a huge refugee problem if the violence in Myanmar escalates further, many economic interests in that country, a fairly intensive bond between the two army commands. Thailand is also probably the country that the Tatmadaw, the army of Myanmar, would listen to the most. It is therefore logical that many eyes are on Bangkok, especially at the time of the ASEAN summit conference that took place recently. During feedback received from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the EU embassies about this summit, not much information was released about how to proceed. Understandable given the sensitivity of the process, but hopefully a lot will happen behind the scenes.
We also had an informal meeting with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Myanmar, who is currently in the region. A very energetic woman, but here too it remains to be seen whether the Tatmadaw is susceptible to the fairly general pressure to at least stop the violence against the population and release the prisoners. The fact that violence has decreased since the summit is positive. But there is still a good chance that Myanmar will slide into a chaotic situation, with all the consequences for Thailand as well.

Finally, a little more household information. First of all, the good news that the website www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl is increasingly developing into a digital counter where you can find a lot of information that used to have to be searched in all sorts of different places. For example, a lot of data can now be found there about a large number of benefits. Definitely worth consulting.
Furthermore, Allert van den Ham, our Honorary Consul in Vientiane, has decided to return to the Netherlands. Especially during the height of the Covid crisis, Allert was able to assist many compatriots who wanted to return to the Netherlands, and we are certainly grateful to him for that. Dutch citizens in Laos can temporarily go to the French embassy, ​​pending the formal approval of the appointment of his successor.

It only remains for me to wish you good health more than ever!

Regards,

Keith Rade