Hungary fires ambassador to Thailand for duty negligence after tsunami

BUDAPEST: -- Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany on Friday dismissed and recalled the ambassador to Thailand for failing to perform his duties on the post in the aftermath of the December 26 tsunami catastrophe in South and Southeast Asia.

Gyurcsany made the order shortly after learning that Janos Vandor did not return to his post in Bangkok until more than a week after the earthquake-triggered tidal waves, local media reported.

Vandor, who was appointed ambassador to Thailand less than fourmonths ago, left for Hungary on Dec. 23 for holiday and medical treatment, and did not return until Jan. 5.

The Hungarian Foreign Ministry has ordered an investigation into Vandor's negligence of duty.

Vandor, however, argued that he did not wish to suspend his medical treatment that had already started, that even if he was atthe embassy at the time of mishap, he could not play too big a role, and that no one else asked or instructed him to return to his post immediately.

No Hungarians are reported to have died in the disaster but theForeign Ministry said five people remain unaccounted for, three inThailand and one each in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

--Agencies 2005-01-08

Now that is the right attitude!

If everybody would apply this we would see a lot of increased travelling.

Now that is the right attitude!

If everybody would apply this we would see a lot of increased travelling.

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Anyway, the Hungarian embassy (if one could call it that) at Soi 24 Sukhumvit is open to public only 2 days a week.