British Honorary Consul In Pattaya Resigns

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British Honorary Consul in Pattaya resigns

PATTAYA: -- In what is seen as a major surprise, the British Honorary Consul for Pattaya, Mr Howard Miller, has tendered his resignation from the position, effective immediately. The resignation has been accepted by the British Ambassador. Mr Miller had served as Honorary Consul for the past 15 months.

In recent times the British Consulate in Pattaya has become increasingly busy, to such an extent the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) decided to upgrade the office to a Full Consulate. Two full-time positions became available (Vice Consul and Consulate Officer). These new positions required formal applications to be taken from within the FCO, and outside.

Mr Miller stated he was not in a position to accept a full-time appointment due to his current business activities in Pattaya, which include Pattaya One TV News, Pattaya 105FM radio station, and the new inpattayanow website.

Howard stated the appointment of a new full-time team for Pattaya left, “No room for an Honorary Consul position which was due to be phased out by the end of the year. I was asked to remain until next April while the new team settle into their new roles, but this would have meant I would have become an effectively non-active Honorary Consul, a role which I cannot accept after working so hard on the front-line of consular operations in Pattaya, especially during the last few months.”

Howard continued, “It was an honour to work with the British Embassy and Foreign & Commonwealth Office over the last 15 months. It has also been fascinating seeing how the FCO operates in Thailand and the high standard of consular services they offer to British Nationals.”

With Mr Miller’s sudden departure, the Consulate in Jomtien, next to the Immigration Office, will only be operational on Thursday’s between 09:30am and 12:30pm. For urgent notarial requests Pattaya residents will have to consult with the British Embassy in Bangkok who can be contacted by telephone on 02 305 833.

-- IN PATTAYA NOW 2011-10-21

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