On 13 July 2020, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs launched an online training course for officials from other ministries and their spouses to prepare them for overseas postings. The training, which ran from 13 - 22 July 2020, had a total 137 participants from 9 government agencies. The objectives were to equip the participants with diplomatic knowledge and enhance their skills so they would be better equipped to perform their duties effectively and efficiently as representatives of Thailand.

          Ms. Lada Phumas, the Director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) welcomed the officials and their spouses and reviewed the rationale and expectations of the programme, which had been divided into two phases. In the first phase, Mr. Paskorn Siriyaphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was invited to address the whole group on various topics including the role of being a Thai representative abroad and Thailand Team’s missions.  In the second phase, Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided the officials with information on Thailand’s foreign policy and the nation’s role on the international stage. In the meantime, Mrs. Nutchanart Wasinondh and Mrs. Kamolrat Boon-Long shared their experiences as two former ambassadors’ wives to highlight the supporting role of spouses on diplomatic missions.

           The training was organized in line with the Office of the Prime Minister’s Regulations on Overseas Assignment of Government Officials and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Requirements on Criteria, Methods and Training Courses for Civil Servants and Their Spouses.