Page 19 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL6

AMBASSADORIAL INSIGHTSThe outgoing Philippine ambassador to Thailand,HE Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia, speaks on her impressions of the Kingdom as well as bilateral relations, tradeand the impact of the AECAlthough the Philippines and Thailand do not share any borders, a common culture or predominant religion, the two have surprising similarities in terms of mindset and values. The countries began relations in the 13th century for Southeast Asian maritime trade and established formal relations in 1949. Since then, relations have remained friendly in aspects including trade, education, politics, diplomacy and even militarily, and in times of global change and challenge the regional partners are working hard to maintain positive and complementary exchanges.The Thai people are so much like us in terms of physical appearance and temperament.I often get mistaken for a Thai wheneverI go to the malls or the markets and even in some official functions, until I begin speaking in English or my native tongueElite+ spoke to the ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand, Her Excellency Jocelyn S Batoon-Garcia, regarding bilateral relations and the Philippines’ preparation for the forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Nearing the end of her ambassadorial term here, she also spoke warmly of her impressions of her time in the Kingdom.What has been your view of Thailand so far?Thailand has been simply amazing since my arrival in 2013. I find the country amazing because of so many things – from the people to food, scenic places, politics and the economy, in general.The Thai people are so much like us in terms of physical appearance and temperament. I often get mistaken for a Thai whenever I go to the malls or the markets and even in some official functions, until I begin speaking in English or my native tongue.Thai food never fails to delight me. There is just so much variety, especially in northern Thailand, such as in Lamphun, where I sampled a local dish that tasted like no other in the country.The scenic places are as varied and enchanting as we probably have in my country, but I nevertheless get excited whenever I set foot in a new place. I have been to practically half of the Kingdom’s 77 provinces, and find each to be different from the last in terms of the available cultural and ecotourism sites, the local people and their customs and traditions, the food, etc. Thai politics is probably everything a foreign diplomat looking for action and challenge in his or her diplomatic career could hope for. The pace is frenetic and keeps me andElite+ 17