On 24 July the Public Forum ‘Surin Pitsuwan and ASEAN: A Tribute’ was arranged by ISIS (Institute of Security and International Studies) Thailand at Chulalongkorn University, moderated by Thitinan Pongsudhirak.
Sweden’s Chargé d’affaires a.i. Nicolas Weeks attended the forum which was co-organised with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bangkok.
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan was a true statesman, serving as Foreign Minister of Thailand, and as Secretary-General for ASEAN he put Southeast Asia’s regional organization on the maps and in the minds of many people around the world. His sad passing on 30th November 2017 deprived the region of a passionate and inspirational thinker, leader and champion of democracy. Dr. Surin was also a dear friend of Sweden.
Surin Pitsuwan was the Chair of the Board of Advisers from 2015-2017 and Board Member since 2012 for the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). He passed away in November 2017.
Sources: Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, International IDEA
