Thinley Namgay  

The Honorary Consul-General (HCG) of Thailand in Thimphu, Ugen Tsechup Dorji, got a special award from Thailand called the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (Third Class) yesterday in Thimphu.

The King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, gave the award to the HCG to honour his important work in making the friendship and teamwork between Bhutan and Thailand stronger.

The Ambassador of Thailand to Bhutan, Makawadee Sumitmor, presented the award to the HCG.

The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand was created back in 1869 by King Chulalongkorn. Nowadays, it’s given to Thai government officials and people from other countries who have done exceptional work in improving relationships and teamwork between Thailand and other nations.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka and the Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General in Thimphu worked together to arrange the Royal Decoration Presentation Ceremony.

In response to receiving the award, Ugen Tsechup Dorji expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m truly humbled by this recognition. It motivates me to do even more than before, with renewed energy and determination.”

Ugen Tsechup Dorji said that his 20-year journey representing Thailand in Thimphu has been remarkable, thanks to the support from the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Thai consulate staff in Thimphu.

During his tenure, Ugen Tsechup Dorji played a crucial role in organising visits to Bhutan by members of the Thai Royal Family, such as Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana in 2007 and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2016. He also contributed significantly to the success of numerous official visits, showcasing his unwavering commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.

In terms of economic cooperation, Ugen Tsechup Dorji leveraged his extensive business background and leadership roles in business-related associations to actively foster trade relations. He initiated and supported the exchange of business and investment delegations, facilitating economic growth between Thailand and Bhutan.

Additionally, Ugen Tsechup Dorji provided valuable guidance and recommendations to Thai nationals residing or traveling in Bhutan, offering insights on economic matters and consular services.

Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor highlighted that out of numerous nominations worldwide, only two individuals were chosen for this prestigious award in 2023.