NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THAILAND PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THAILAND PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Chuchai Kasemsarn, the new Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Kasemsarn served as the Permanent Representative-designate of Thailand to the United Nations.  From 1999 he was Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary to the United Nations.  From 1998 to 1999, he served as Director-General, Department of American and South Pacific Affairs in the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  He came to the United Nations in 1984 to serve as Minister in the Permanent Mission of Thailand, where he remained until 1986.

Between 1986 and 1998, Mr. Kasemsarn served as Ambassador to four countries: Viet Nam (1986-1988), Egypt (1988-1990), Republic of Korea (1991-1994), Austria (1995-1998).

Mr. Kasemsarn joined the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1969, where his first position was Third Secretary.  From 1970 to 1974 he served as Third and Second Secretary, South and West Asia Division, Department of Political Affairs. He then moved to Second and First Secretary at the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore (1975-1979).  In 1980 he returned to the Department of Political Affairs, where he served as Director, South and West Asia Division (1981-1983) and as Director, East Asia Division.  From 1983 to 1984 he was Deputy Director-General, Department of International Organizations.

Mr. Kasemsarn holds a Bachelor's Degree in political science from the University of Washington, Seattle, United States.  He received his Master's Degree in political science from San Jose State College, United States.

Mr. Kasemsarn was born in Chanthaburi, Thailand, on 1 December 1942.  He is married.

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