PHUKET: The Australian Government has announced that Paul Robilliard will replace James Wise as Ambassador to Thailand from October.
Ambassador Wise will be remembered on Phuket for calling for a complete ban on guns and knives on Phuket after the stabbing of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith in 2012. No attempt was made to take up the idea.
Mr Robilliard, presently the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's south and west Asia division secretary, will head the large Australian embassy in Bangkok.
He has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Jakarta; Consul-General in Honolulu; and Ambassador to Syria and Lebanon, with earlier postings in Singapore and Syria.
Phuket remains without an honorary consul since the retirement of Larry Cunningham in September last year.
Although a young Canadian lawyer, Michelle Hawryluk, is Australia's consul designate, she cannot assist Australians with renewals of passports or other procedural matters until she is formally appointed.
Acceptance of her credentials and the credentials of Mr Robilliard is not expected until Thailand has a regular government in place.
About 900,000 Australians visit Thailand each year, with about 300,000 of those coming to Phuket.
Plans to set up a consulate general on Phuket of the kind that provides a full range of services on Bali have been shelved.
Ambassador Wise will be remembered on Phuket for calling for a complete ban on guns and knives on Phuket after the stabbing of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith in 2012. No attempt was made to take up the idea.
Mr Robilliard, presently the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's south and west Asia division secretary, will head the large Australian embassy in Bangkok.
He has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Jakarta; Consul-General in Honolulu; and Ambassador to Syria and Lebanon, with earlier postings in Singapore and Syria.
Phuket remains without an honorary consul since the retirement of Larry Cunningham in September last year.
Although a young Canadian lawyer, Michelle Hawryluk, is Australia's consul designate, she cannot assist Australians with renewals of passports or other procedural matters until she is formally appointed.
Acceptance of her credentials and the credentials of Mr Robilliard is not expected until Thailand has a regular government in place.
About 900,000 Australians visit Thailand each year, with about 300,000 of those coming to Phuket.
Plans to set up a consulate general on Phuket of the kind that provides a full range of services on Bali have been shelved.
Congrats Sir you are taking on a job to cap a Volcano. I wish for you great strength and wisdom.
Posted by Robin on August 27, 2014 16:14