The Panamanian Ambassador to Thailand

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Panamanian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Ambassador Ms. Itzel Karina Chen Chan

 

Expat Life in Thailand writer Kathleen Pokrud sat down with the Panamanian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Ambassador Ms. Itzel Karina Chen Chan and asked her to share her story and path to Thailand.

 

How long have you been the Ambassador to Thailand?
I have been in Thailand since September 2020.

 

Did you arrive to Thailand direct from home, or were you posted somewhere else before?
I arrived in Thailand directly from Panama. Previously, I was assigned as Director of the Economic and Commercial Office in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2017, and the diplomatic relations between Panama and People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established, thus I was promoted to Consul General in Hong Kong.

May I ask where were you born and brought up?
I was born and grew up in Panama in a Chinese family that migrated from mainland China.

 

At which age did you decide you wanted to become a diplomat?
I am not career diplomat, having a Bachelor Degree of Political Science and Law as well as a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law.

With the intensive experiences in legal issues, in both private sector and, at the age of 36, I was assigned as the Director of the Economic and Commercial Office, and then, as the Consul General in the Consulate General of Hong Kong. Moreover, it is my great honour that, now, I have been assigned as new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Panama to the Kingdom of Thailand.

May I ask do you have more diplomats in your family?
No, I am only diplomat in my family.

 

How do you view Thailand today, have you encountered any obstacles since you arrived?
Due to the current world situation affected by the outbreak of the Covid-19, not only Thailand, but also all the countries that have imposed strict measures to protect their citizens, such as obligatory quarantine. Thus, it is normal that there are some difficulties for travelling to Thailand during this hard time.

 

Do you see any similarities between your country and Thailand?
In addition to the similar climates and temperature, Panama and Thailand are recognised for their widely known tourist attraction, such as historical sites and beaches, where many travellers come to visit there each year. On the other hand,
Facebook.com/expatlifethailand.com FEBRUARY / MARCH 15 the cultures and tradition are quite different. Despite this, like Thailand, Panama is open to learn the differences and is ready to share its uniqueness to the world to make people know more about the country.

Do you have children?
No, I do not have any children.

How do you look upon your work here? What does an average day look like?
Working here is quite a new challenge for me as the work culture is so very different from Panama as well as Hong Kong, where I previously lived and served.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/news-and-event/updates-news-and-event/the-panamanian-ambassador-to-thailand/

 

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