On 19 November 2019, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs hosted special lectures for students from the Southeast Asian Studies Programme of Thammasat University.  The group was led by Assistant Professor Dr.Dulyapas Preecharus.  The lecture which focused on news collection and analysis with regards to international relations was delivered by Mr. Natapanu Nopakun, Deputy Director - General of the Department of Information of the MFA. The lecture on Thailand’s relations with countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia was delivered by Mr. Songchai Chaipatiyut, Director of the East Asian Division 2 and Mr. Kosol Satithamajit, Director of the East Asian Division 3 of the Department of East Asian Affairs, MFA.  The lectures highlighted Southeast Asian socio-economic dynamism and changes in the global and regional landscape affecting Thailand and its conduct of diplomacy.  For example, social media has been increasingly used as an effective tool to reach out to various target groups.  The students also learnt about Thailand’s diplomacy in the past decades; namely, its diplomatic overture to China in 1975.  The audience enthusiastically responded and widely exchanged their views on the issues raised.