26 November 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia and other Embassy officials on November 10 called on Governor Surapol Panusampol of the province of Mae Hong Son in Northwestern Thailand. Ambassador Batoon-Garcia and the Governor discussed the Filipino community’s contributions to Mae Hong Son. They also exchanged ideas on how to promote greater economic interaction between the province and the Philippines, especially with the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Ambassador Batoon-Garcia took the opportunity to introduce incoming Philippine Honorary Consul, Mr. Agkarajit Phanomvan Na Ayudhya, to the Governor and other local officials.

 After the call on the provincial government officials, Ambassador Batoon-Garcia met with members of the Filipino community in Mae Hong Son. She likewise introduced Consul Agkarajit to the Filipinos there, noting that the latter will be based in the province of Chiang Mai, with concurrent jurisdiction over the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, and Uttaradit.

 The Embassy consular team, whose members included Vice Consul Jay Francis Alcantara, Rowena Tolosa, Erlito Bayaga, Pilar Binuya and Michelle Espiritu, rendered passport, notarial, and other consular services to the Filipino community. Vice Consul Alcantara gave a briefing on various issues and listened to some of the Filipinos’ experiences and concerns as expatriates in Mae Hong Son.  END