Canadian is new Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket

[Lite Beer]

Canadian is new Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket
Alasdair Forbes

Michelle Hawryluk. '“I guess I like to complicate my life.'

PHUKET: Legal adviser Michelle Hawryluk, 34, from Canada has been appointed Honorary Consul in Phuket – for Australia.

She replaces Larry Cunningham, who stepped down at the end of September last year, after eight years in the post.

Mrs Hawryluk, who is fluent in Thai, was chosen months ago for the post, but has been waiting for Thai government approval of her appointment.

In a recent interview on Phuket Live Radio 89.5 with radio host Tim Shaw, Australian Ambassador James Wise said that the official announcement was “very close”. This has yet to happen.

It is understood that the delay has been due to the current caretaker status of the Thai government and the sporadic disruption of the civil service by anti-government protesters.

Mrs Hawryluk, although Canadian, holds a licence to practise law in New South Wales, Australia (She attended Bond University in Queensland). She is also licensed to practise in New York State in the US.

In the past, she worked with “a lot of Australians who got into trouble,” she told The Phuket News, and had also worked from time to time with Mr Cunningham on legal aspects of cases he was handling.

She said she put her name forward after Mr Cunningham stepped down, not knowing whether she would even qualify. “I thought it would be good to apply but I wasn’t sure if they would take me because I was Canadian.”

Her company in Thailand – she works as a legal adviser because only Thais may be heard before Thai courts – is Haris & Hawryluk, though she says this name will change soon to Hawryluk Legal Advisers after partner Haris Boonsup stopped working with her.

The company offers advice on immigration matters, retirement visas, family cases, real estate and corporate law.

Asked what inspired her to apply for a basically unpaid post looking after Australians who get into trouble in Phuket, ranging from traffic accidents to being ripped off by jet ski operators to being arrested for a variety of crimes, she joked, “I guess I like to complicate my life. I don’t know.”

“But I’ve lived here for a long time. My job already involves dealing with a lot of colourful individuals from all walks of life, not just Australians. And to be honest, running a law firm here I know how to get around probably better [than most people].

“I thought it would be fun and it’s nice to help people. But talk to me in a year.”

Asked if her style will be as confrontational as Mr Cunningham, whose reputation was such that police would sometimes ask that a person with a problem not call him, and whose name alone, if mentioned, would often make extortionists back off, she said, “No, not at all. That’s definitely not my style.”

Described by Tim Shaw as “a caring, highly thoughtful individual, low-key in her approach [and] mature beyond her years,” Mrs Hawryluk also works with her husband, Num Noi, who operates a gym teaching students the art of Muay Thai in Phuket.

They also assist and care with fostering some young boys whose parents had brought them to the gym for training.

Mrs Hawryluk can be conacted by email or by calling her office at 076 510 111

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/canadian-is-new-australian-honorary-consul-in-phuket-46305.php

-- Phuket News 2014-05-17

[grumpyoldman]

Larry is a great guy (previous consul) but a good looking babe as a replacement, great call ! Lucky Australians !!

[JoePai]

A sad state when there are no suitable Aussies

[harrry]

Sounds as if Thailand got exactly what it wanted.

[simon43]

Michelle is my lawyer and I can say that this is an excellent choice. She is down-to-earth, knows Phuket very well and - AFAIK - does not play golf ...

But a smack in the face for Ozzies in Phuket who couldn't come up with a replacement for Larry, (or were they all just too scared to apply, in light of Larry's recent experiences???)

Simon

[robertthebruce]

Excellent Choice... all the best ''Michelle'' , sure you will do well...

[Calach]

They're all subjects of the Queen after all.

[Som wat]

(or were they all just too scared to apply, in light of Larry's recent experiences???)

Go on.

Just use the word 'allegedly' a lot.

[chooka]

Michelle is my lawyer and I can say that this is an excellent choice. She is down-to-earth, knows Phuket very well and - AFAIK - does not play golf ...

But a smack in the face for Ozzies in Phuket who couldn't come up with a replacement for Larry, (or were they all just too scared to apply, in light of Larry's recent experiences???)

Simon

Had a few contenders

[stevenl]

As long as she is good, who cares where she is from. As long as she speaks the language, which may be an issue

[samuijimmy]

You just have to say "eh" at the end of every sentence ....... .... eh!

[chooka]

You just have to say "eh" at the end of every sentence ....... .... eh!

That's Queenslanders

[daveAustin]

A sad state when there are no suitable Aussies

Indeed, and how many of you are there, 20 mil? lol

[grumpyoldman]

Michelle is my lawyer and I can say that this is an excellent choice. She is down-to-earth, knows Phuket very well and - AFAIK - does not play golf ...

But a smack in the face for Ozzies in Phuket who couldn't come up with a replacement for Larry, (or were they all just too scared to apply, in light of Larry's recent experiences???)

Simon

Had a few contenders

Love it ! was hoping this gal might roll into town for the job

[eezergood]

A sad state when there are no suitable Aussies

Why?

Perhaps she was more suitable.......

[eezergood]

As long as she is good, who cares where she is from. As long as she speaks the language, which may be an issue

Australian or Thai?

States she is fluent, this is also part of the job requirements.....

[stevenl]

As long as she is good, who cares where she is from. As long as she speaks the language, which may be an issue

Australian or Thai?

States she is fluent, this is also part of the job requirements.....

Thai she speaks according to the OP. I just hope she can understand the Aussies that get themselves into trouble here.

Edited May 17, 2014 by stevenl

[eezergood]

Fair point

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Old Croc]

Thai she speaks

Lucky she's not the new Dutch Consul. She would have to learn Yoda.

[chooka]

As long as she is good, who cares where she is from. As long as she speaks the language, which may be an issue

Australian or Thai?

States she is fluent, this is also part of the job requirements.....

Thai she speaks according to the OP. I just hope she can understand the Aussies that get themselves into trouble here.

The sheila will have to get down to the boozer and hammer it up with a few of the cobbers to learn her Australian.

[stevenl]

Thai she speaks

Lucky she's not the new Dutch Consul. She would have to learn Yoda.

I had to google that one.

I wouldn't mind, she is better looking than the present consul for sure (sorry Seven).

Edited May 17, 2014 by stevenl

[robertthebruce]

You just have to say "eh" at the end of every sentence ....... .... eh!

Dundonians say ''Eh'' too...

[somchaismith]

A Canadian as an Aussie consul. Never thought I'd see the day.

[NamKangMan]

A sad state when there are no suitable Aussies

Congratulations to her, but yes, I would have thought the first essential criteria for the job would have been, "Must be an Australian Citizen."

Edited May 17, 2014 by NamKangMan

[stockholm1995]

Asked if her style will be as confrontational as Mr Cunningham, whose reputation was such that police would sometimes ask that a person with a problem not call him, and whose name alone, if mentioned, would often make extortionists back off, she said, “No, not at all. That’s definitely not my style.”

So what is her style? A soft approach to the extortionists?

[stickylies]

You just have to say "mate" at the end of every sentence ....... .... mate!

[Donnie Brasco]

Michelle is my lawyer and I can say that this is an excellent choice. She is down-to-earth, knows Phuket very well and - AFAIK - does not play golf ...

But a smack in the face for Ozzies in Phuket who couldn't come up with a replacement for Larry, (or were they all just too scared to apply, in light of Larry's recent experiences???)

Simon

Had a few contenders

Love it ! was hoping this gal might roll into town for the job

funny_mobility_scooter_1012.jpg

Hmmmmm. A Symbian ?

"Sometimes, 'fuggedabowdit' just means fuggedabowdit. . . . "

[Lancelot]

She is very easy on the eyes

[NamKangMan]

A great way to increase business for your own law firm - become an Honorary Consul.

[bigbamboo]

Michelle is my lawyer and I can say that this is an excellent choice. She is down-to-earth, knows Phuket very well and - AFAIK - does not play golf ...

But a smack in the face for Ozzies in Phuket who couldn't come up with a replacement for Larry, (or were they all just too scared to apply, in light of Larry's recent experiences???)

Simon

Had a few contenders

Love it ! was hoping this gal might roll into town for the job

funny_mobility_scooter_1012.jpg

Phuket is down and dirty.... not the sort of place for a sweet Aussie girl next door like her.