Phuket wait for Australian Honorary Consul may take months
Phuket Gazette


Australian Honorary Consul Larry Cunningham retires at the end of this month. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Phuket may be without an Australian Honorary Consul for months after the current consul, Larry Cunningham, retires from the post on September 30.

“Applications have been received and the selection is currently in process,” Mr Cunningham told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

“I don’t know how many people have applied. It’s being done through the embassy, not me,” he said.

“It might be a couple of months until they announce somebody,” Mr Cunningham added.

An officer at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok confirmed this, noting that whoever is selected will also need approval from the Thai government.

“We have no idea when the process will be finalized because we have to get approval from both the Thai and Australian governments,” said Korbua Laorujijinda, Media Officer at the embassy.

After September 30, Australians in Phuket requiring consular assistance will need to contact the embassy in Bangkok directly, Mr Cunningham noted.

The Australian Embassy in Bangkok can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 02-344 6300.

The automated message will ask if emergency assistance is required after office hours.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-wait-for-Australian-Honorary-Consul-may-take-months-22285.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-09-19

wow that seems a long time to get the post filled up once again....

Won't take months, it will take generations to find someone who can fill Larry's shoes.

Hopefully they get someone as vocal as Larry. While I dont agree with everything he said. He did stand out and was heard more often than representatives from other countries

Sorry to lose someone like Larry - he was prepared to be a little less than diplomatic where it was needed, as with crime and corruption affecting tourists. I'm sure he ruffled feathers even at the Australian Embassy at times - no bad thing. Pity they can't clone him for the position everywhere.

If Larry's retirement had been planned then invitations from applicants would have been in the works for many months before the retirement date, and new Hon Consul in place in a timely manner.

It's unlikely we will see another one like Larry. Just does not fit into the diplomatic role required by embassies.

Threatened by Thais - not supported - and asked to retire?