VZCZCXRO2855
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBK #2860/01 3130722
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 090722Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8887
INFO RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 7263
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 002860 
 
Department for EAP/MLS DSmith 
Department pass to Peace Corps 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL ECON TH
SUBJECT: Thai Government Affirms Importance of Peace Corps and Seeks 
to Deepen Partnership 
 
BANGKOK 00002860  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  Summary: Prime Minister Abhisit, Thai Princess Sirindhorn, and 
the Director of Thailand International Development Cooperation 
Agency (TICA) all affirmed on November 5 that the Peace Corps 
Thailand program remains an anchor of the enduring Thai-U.S. 
bilateral partnership.  Accompanied by Ambassador John, visiting 
Peace Corps (PC) Director Aaron Williams expressed appreciation to 
the Prime Minister, Princess, and TICA Director for the support of 
the RTG and warm welcome the Thai nation has provided volunteers 
throughout the PC's 47 year experience in Thailand.  Abhisit noted 
his hope that Peace Corps continues to strengthen in presence in 
Thailand, particularly through the successful Village Health 
Volunteers Program.  Director Williams, Ambassador John, and TICA 
Director Apinan discussed additional areas for potentially increased 
cooperation, including collaboration between PC and TICA on food 
security issues, both at the program and field-level.  Princess 
Sirindhorn shared fond memories of her experience with individual PC 
volunteers.  End Summary. 
 
Peace Corps and Thailand: An Enduring Partnership 
------------------------------------- 
¶2.  In separate meetings on November 5, visiting Peace Corps (PC) 
Director Aaron Williams and Ambassador John called on Prime Minister 
Abhisit Vejjajiva; Apinan Phatarathiyanon, Director-General of TICA; 
and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a daughter of Thailand's King 
Bhumibol, accompanied by Peace Corps Thailand Director John 
Williams.  Also present in the meeting was Elisa Montoya, Peace 
Corps White House Liaison; Allison Price, Peace Corps 
Communication's Director; and Jeffrey West, Special Assistant to the 
Peace Corps Director.  Director Williams expressed deep appreciation 
for the continued support of the RTG and Thai people.  He described 
the relationship between the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and the 
Peace Corps as a true partnership, evidenced by the RTG's provision 
of all housing costs for all 89 volunteers serving in Thailand, in 
addition to approximately USD 24,000 in project support this year. 
 
 
¶3.  Director Williams explained that Peace Corps' partnership with 
the people of Thailand is one of its strongest in the world, dating 
back 47 years, during which time nearly 5,000 volunteers have served 
in sectors such as education, rural and community development, small 
business development, malaria eradication, health and HIV/AIDS, 
agriculture, forestry, environment, and fisheries.  The PC 
Volunteers in Thailand today are working with Thai counterparts on 
two projects: one focused on the RTG's education reform initiative 
and the other on community based organizational development through 
Sub-District Administrative Organizations (SAOs).  An additional 61 
trainees are expected to arrive in January 2010.  Williams explained 
our willingness to continue this partnership for as long as the 
people of Thailand believe it is beneficial in achieving RTG 
development goals and Peace Corps resources allow. 
 
¶4.  Prime Minister Abhisit thanked Director Williams for the Peace 
Corps work in Thailand, stating that the Thai people welcome the 
volunteers with open arms and that both Thailand and the United 
States benefit from the improved cross-cultural understanding PC 
promotes.  (Note: Director Williams provided anecdotes from his 
November 3 visit to volunteers in Utthai Thani and Chainat Provinces 
north of Bangkok and others around the world to emphasize volunteers 
come from all walks of life and represent various age groups.  He 
also explained the importance of in-country training for volunteers, 
highlighted in Thailand through successful homestays with Thai 
families.  Williams also shared his pride that Thai national Surin 
Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN, often speaks of his mentoring 
as a child by PC volunteers.  End Note.)  Abhisit noted the 
importance of PC's focus on community-based development and a 
knowledge-based economy as a way to mobilize social capital.  The 
Prime Minister also noted Thailand's success in the area of health, 
which has caused other countries to look at Thailand's health care 
system as a model.  As such, the Thai government hopes Peace Corps 
can strengthen the Village Health Volunteers Program throughout 
Thailand as a possible new area for future collaboration. 
 
Deepening the Partnership 
------------------------- 
¶5.  In a separate morning meeting, TICA Director General Apinan 
echoed PM Abhisit's thanks and praise for PC's enduring partnership 
with the Thai people (referring to PC volunteers as ambassadors for 
the United States and, upon their return, Thailand's ambassadors 
abroad).  Linking his comments to greater ASEAN integration, Apinan 
explained that the RTG is hoping to expand its own fledgling 
international volunteer program, created approximately five years 
ago and modeled to a large extent on PC.  He stated the program's 
focus is on technical cooperation and that volunteers serve in Laos, 
Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan, and beyond.  Apinan eagerly asked about 
PC's long-term plans with Thailand, which sparked a discussion in 
which he, Director Williams, and Ambassador John exchanged ideas 
(and agreed) on possible ways to deepen the already successful 
PC-RTG partnership. 
 
BANGKOK 00002860  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶6.  Ambassador John noted the synergy between the goals of the PC 
and RTG volunteer programs, and those of the USG Food Security 
Initiative.  He suggested PC and TICA explore coordination in this 
area at the field level, headquarters level, or both.  The idea of 
developing a partnership, focused on strengthening the Village 
Health Volunteers Program was mentioned by Director Williams as an 
example of possible new sector for collaboration; but was mentioned 
only in terms of possibilities in the future and not as a concrete 
proposal. 
 
Additional ideas included: 
- have PC volunteers mentor their Thai counterparts in locations 
where both PC and Thai volunteers are present; 
- have interested Thai university students work voluntarily over 
school breaks with PC Thailand volunteers; and 
- organize a conference on expanding volunteerism for interested 
nations from ASEAN, and the United States. 
 
Princess Sirindhorn 
------------------- 
¶7.  Princess Sirindhorn was gracious in receiving PC Director 
Williams.  The Director stated that he was aware of her interest in 
promoting volunteerism and that he was aware that the Princess 
herself was engaged in supporting many development projects.  The 
Princess spoke of her work in supporting schools for disadvantaged 
children in rural areas throughout the country.  She mentioned by 
name a Peace Corps volunteer named Sean that she has met in Nan 
Province about three years ago and who was teaching English to 
novice monks in one of the schools she sponsors in Nan Province. 
She also recalled other instances in the past when she had occasion 
to meet Peace Corps volunteers.  The Director thanked Princess 
Sirindhorn for her support for Peace Corps as evidenced by her 
patronage at the 45th anniversary celebration of Peace Corps in 
Thailand in 2007.  Director Williams noted PC Thailand will be 
celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012 and that Peace Corps would 
be honored if the Princess would join that celebration as well.