Rumour That Thai Consulate In Perth Oz Reopening?

[robaus]

Does anyone have any more up to date information than this post in April from another forum? Thanks.

 

Thai Consular Office to Reopen in Perth

20 Apr 2012

 

AAP

 

Thailand is to reopen its consular offices in Perth with the initial appointment of businessman and consultant Ruben Kooperman, the Thai Foreign Ministry says.

 

Kooperman, 59, describes himself as an independent construction project management consultant, as well as cultural events and long-time supporter of Aboriginal Theatre group Yirra Yaakin.

 

The decision to appoint Kooperman came during a Thai Cabinet meeting on February 12, 2012, but confirmation of the appointment only became available this week.

 

A Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman said the re-opening date of the consular offices, closed since 2010, was still to be set.

 

"The Thai Embassy in Canberra is now liaising with all the parties concerned in Australia about the opening of the office in the near future," Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi told AAP.

 

A delay in an announcement in Australia has been due to the recent appointment of a new Thai Ambassador to Australia, Maris Sangiampongsa, who officially only took up the post in Canberra on March 22.

 

The previous honorary Thai consul-general post in Perth had been held by Brigadier W.D. (Bill) Jamieson from 1978 until his retirement in 2010.

 

"There's a certain process that needs to be gone through before the appointment can be made official," Kooperman said.

 

He said the post had been offered to him by the former Thai Ambassador to Australia, Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree.

 

"I'm an independent project management consultant. Part of the reason I was asked (to take up the post) was because I was independent of any particular association," he said.

 

But diplomatic sources told AAP plans are under way to eventually appoint a Thai national to the post, probably someone with close links with the governing Pheu Thai Party of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

Businessmen tied to Pheu Thai are reported to be looking to invest in Western Australia's mining industry, with a key target being the lithium mine operated by Galaxy Resources Ltd in Ravensthorpe in the state's southwest.

[eyebee]

Hi robaus,

 

 

Looked all over the internet - the only info is a rehash of what you've already posted. The AAP however spelled his name wrong: it is Reuben. If you check him out on Google, it seems that he's a mean drummer. Maybe he could be persuaded to play drums for the Perth Morris Men?

 

 

eyebee

[gobbledonk]

This would dovetail nicely with my 2014 plans - Perth is a 4-hour plane trip from Sydney but it will cut time from my flight to BKK. Always wanted an excuse to visit Perth.

[robaus]

Hi robaus,

 

 

Looked all over the internet - the only info is a rehash of what you've already posted.

eyebee

 

Thanks for your efforts, eyebee.

 

It's a pity it closed... used to be such a friendly and easy going little consulate... the Aussie equivalent of Hull. The Canberra embassy (almost 4,000 km away) where West Aussies now have to apply don't even answer their bloody phone!

 

There must be quite a few Thais living in Perth, and of course it's closer to SE Asia for visa runs. You can sometimes get some super promo fares with Air Asia, Tiger and Jetstar...I paid as little as $70 once from KL..had to book about a year in advance mind you.. but who cares if you have to change your plans at that price?

 

Come on down, gobble...we need the money!

 

[gobbledonk]

You dont need the money, but every other state in the so-called 'Lucky Country' is completely broke, and then some. Queensland, supposedly riding high on the mining boom, is just as screwed as everywhere else on the East Coast - turns out the Bligh government hired a Greek book-keeping company to do their books .....