Dutch Honorary Consulate Chiang Mai

[flashlight92]

The Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chiang Mai seems to have closed in the last 2 weeks. Does anyone know if it's reopening?

[JoePai]

Phone the Dutch Embassy in BKK and ask ?

[flashlight92]

They were the ones who told us it was closed but didn't give any more details.

[rcjoop]

Since the 18th of this month we no longer have a consul in Chiang Mai as Peter van Loo quit this "job"

as it was claiming too much of his time.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Since the 18th of this month we no longer have a consul in Chiang Mai as Peter van Loo quit this "job"

as it was claiming too much of his time.

Or, that Her Majesty's government is too stingy to budget 'a salary', similar to that of BKK embassy staff?

And, that they're too incompetent to manage a transition to a new person and maintain some continuity. Instead it just 'fades without notice'.

It's almost like the stereotypical Thai shopkeeper who discontinues a product 'because it sells out too quickly' : "The Consulate: Discontinued due to High Demand"

The end result being that they appear every bit as ineffective as any level of Thai government.

Congrats for successfully going local.

Edited April 25, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[personchester]

Since the 18th of this month we no longer have a consul in Chiang Mai as Peter van Loo quit this "job"

as it was claiming too much of his time.

Or, that Her Majesty's government is too stingy to budget 'a salary', similar to that of BKK embassy staff?

And, that they're too incompetent to manage a transition to a new person and maintain some continuity. Instead it just 'fades without notice'.

It's almost like the stereotypical Thai shopkeeper who discontinues a product 'because it sells out too quickly' : "The Consulate: Discontinued due to High Demand"

The end result being that they appear every bit as ineffective as any level of Thai government.

Congrats for successfully going local.

Due to the EURO problem the Dutch government (like many other euro states) had to introduce severe financial austerity measures, and that means cutting costs left right and centre.

The closure of the Dutch consulate in Chiang Mai is of course only a minor saving, but this is done across the globe, and the savings are done to benefit the Dutch tax payers.

[DavidOxon]

The Dutch consulate in Chiang Mai (I believe) has relocated to the new restaurant (Can't remember the name) on the Canal road, just before the Royal Flora intersection...

[uptheos]

Due to the EURO problem the Dutch government (like many other euro states) had to introduce severe financial austerity measures, and that means cutting costs left right and centre.

The closure of the Dutch consulate in Chiang Mai is of course only a minor saving, but this is done across the globe, and the savings are done to benefit the Dutch tax payers.

Maybe they could find a way of importing Edam and Gouda cheeses to help them out.

Follow Rimping's sales model and it will become profitable very quickly

Edited April 26, 2012 by uptheos

[LarryBird]

des gourmet is the restaurant.

[Flatouthruthefog]

des gourmet is the restaurant.

That's helpful, thanks.

What would be MUCH more helpful would be a media news release from their Embassy to advise expats and travelers, the people they are meant to serve.

Dam poor show if you ask me.

OK, you didn't.

[OldeBellPedr]

des gourmet is the restaurant.

That's helpful, thanks.

What would be MUCH more helpful would be a media news release from their Embassy to advise expats and travelers, the people they are meant to serve.

Dam poor show if you ask me.

OK, you didn't.

There is an announcement on the Dutch embassy website, but not on the English language section. you have to go onto the Dutch section and Google translate, which gives an imprecise but clear enough precis of Dhr. van Loo's resignation ('honorable discharge at his own request'). Consular services ceased on 18th April.

It is sad that the consulate has closed. I have dealt with Dhr. van Loo several times and have found him to be very efficient and helpful. Hon con's in Chiang Mai are generally hard working people who work for little or no renumeration. One only has to think of the work done by Ben Svasti-thompson the British hon-con, Haagen Dircksen the German hon con or Michael Walther the Australian hon con to see the good work these guys do for the international community here in Chiang Mai. Let's hope Peter van Loo's departure doesn't herald a round of cost cutting by other countries.