On 4 June 2026, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, hosted a luncheon and met with a Thai delegation led by Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavrangkul, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), together with officials from SBPAC, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), and the Department of Consular Affairs, as well as Mr. Phasit Chudabuddhi,, Consul-General of Thailand to Kota Bharu, Mr. Kantapon Sangkhapreecha, representative of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang, and Thai volunteers in Malaysia. The luncheon was hosted in conjunction with the delegation’s participation in discussions aimed at advancing policy cooperation on cross-border child protection between Thailand and Malaysia.

 

On this occasion, the Ambassador led an exchange of perspectives on the protection of Thai children and women in Malaysia. She highlighted that the geographical proximity of the two countries has been the key factor in enabling relevant agencies to provide prompt and timely assistance to Thai nationals in need in Malaysia. Nevertheless, such efforts require effective networks and communication among government agencies and Thai volunteers. The Ambassador also expressed appreciation to the relevant agencies and Thai volunteers for their strong cooperation with the Embassy, the Royal Thai Consulates-General, and the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen the network through a two-way exchange of information between policymakers and frontline practitioners working directly on the ground.

 

On the same day, the Royal Thai Embassy, led by Mr. Adittha Buakhamsri, Minister Counsellor, and Ms. Tharinee Limchularat, Minister Counsellor (Labour Affairs), shared information and views to support the formulation of appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the protection of Thai children in Malaysia. The meeting also received briefings on the roles of international organisations and the work of NGO representatives in Malaysia, coordinated by SBPAC and the MSDHS. These included: (1) UNICEF Malaysia, (2) IOM Malaysia, (3) SUKA, (4) El Shaddai, (5) Social Work Without Borders, (6) Global Shepherds, (7) Tenaganita, and ( Malaysia Relief Agency.

 

The Embassy has continuously carried out activities with SBPAC to support an environment conducive to economic development, security, and social development in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces. Most recently, in February, the Embassy participated in discussions to promote cooperation between SBPAC and the State of Perak, Malaysia.