H.E. Mr. Ganesh Prasad Dhakal The Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand
Did you arrive to Thailand direct from home, and or where were you posted before?
I arrived in Thailand from Nepal but I had diplomatic assignments earlier in Moscow, Berlin and Doha in different capacities. My first diplomatic posting was in Moscow followed by postings in Berlin and Doha respectively. Before coming to assume this post, I was Joint Secretary (Director General) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kathmandu.
Which city were you born and brought up?
At what age did you decide you wanted to become a diplomat? Do you have any other diplomats in your family?
How do you see Thailand today, in ASEAN, and in a wider context?
Thailand is rich in history, culture, tradition and language. It has diverse flora and fauna with breathtaking coastal beaches. Thailand is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. Similarly, Thailand is also an important member of ASEAN regional body. The Thai economy is the second largest in ASEAN. Moreover, Thailand has growing engagements in bilateral, regional and global forums. As host of APEC2022 and chair of BIMSTEC regional body, Thailand has good opportunity to play an important role for the promotion of peace, economic development and prosperity of people in the region.
Though Nepal is located in South Asia and Thailand in SE Asia regions, our two countries, through Buddhism, have more than two thousand years old history of people-to-people contact. Nepal is a blessed country for being the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and home to many other important Buddhist sites, including Tilaurakot, Kapilavastu (parental hometown of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha), Devadaha (maternal hometown of Queen Mayadevi, Gautam Buddha’s mother), Ramagrama Stupa (only Stupa containing the sacred Body Relics of Sakyamuni Gautam Buddha), Swayambhunath (an ancient Buddhist temple in Kathmandu), Boudhanath (one of the largest spherical Buddhist Stupas in Kathmandu). Teaching of Gautam Buddha and philosophy of Buddhism are strong binding threads between the peoples of our two countries. There are many similarities between our two countries in terms of culture, tradition and language. Nepali and Thai languages have many words in common derived from Pali/Sanskrit.
Do you have children, if so at what age and where do they go to school, university or work?
My wife Anima and I have two sons – Adhip and Girwan. Adhip is pursuing undergraduate course in the university and Girwan has just completed twelfth grade from a school in Bangkok.
Nepal is fully open to international travellers. Both fully vaccinated and partial vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers can visit Nepal. No need to undergo pre-departure RT-PCR test against Covid-19 for fully vaccinated travellers. But for the partial or unvaccinated traveller, one has to carry the RT-PCR test negative result taken within 72 hours before travel. Travellers are neither required to undergo RT-PCR test nor stay in quarantine upon arrival in Nepal. International travellers except some countries can obtain tourist visa on arrival also. Thai visitors can obtain tourist visa on arrival in Nepal. They may apply online for tourist visa in Nepali Embassy in Bangkok or Honorary Consulate in Phuket. Tourist visa is issued within one working day. Process of issuing tourist visa is simple and fast.
There is a good news to share with Thai friends that the Government of Nepal has started operation of commercial flight in a newly built international airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport, near Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha from 16th May 2022. This airport will open new avenues of promoting cultural tourism between Nepal and Thailand. We invite Thai airlines to operate direct flight to this new airport and tap the opportunities available in this sector. The operation of direct flights will facilitate Thai people to pay homage to the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha-Lumbini and enjoy the lifetime experiences.
When I arrived in Thailand to assume my office in June 2019, the Government of Nepal had announced national campaign of Visit Nepal 2020, whose objectives were to promote Nepal as a favourite tourism destination and welcome two million tourists in that year. Accordingly, the Embassy’s activities and events were directed towards realising those objectives. Unfortunately, Covid-19 pandemic compelled us to abandon that campaign. The Embassy will resume organising activities and events for the promotion of tourism, culture, export trade and investment in the coming days. Our overall goal is to further strengthen bilateral relations with Thailand and the accredited countries and enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture, civil aviation, investment and trade.
Have you managed to travel in Thailand yet?
I had opportunities to visit Thailand in 1997, 2016 and 2018. But those visits were short. Since my arrival in Thailand as ambassador, I have travelled to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Hua Hin and Phuket cities, including surrounding provinces of Bangkok. I found abundance natural and cultural beauties wherever I travelled in Thailand.
When you have a day off, what do you prefer to do? Hobbies or pastimes?
Normally I go out with my family to visit cultural and natural sites of Bangkok and its adjacent provinces on day off. I also play golf with colleagues of Thai Foreign Ministry and diplomatic corps sometime.
How many of your country folk are living in Thailand? When and why did Thailand become a desirable destination for your people?
Before Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Nepali nationals living in Thailand was around 2,500. During pandemic, this number has decreased and estimated around 1,500. About half of this number includes students who are pursuing higher education in various educational institutions. Rest half includes university professors, teachers, professionals and businesspersons. For many decades, Thailand has remained one of favourite destinations of Nepali students for higher education. Nepali people love Thailand due to cultural similarities, geographic proximity, and most importantly friendly and cooperative nature of Thai people.
Does your country and Thailand have an exchange programme for students?
Any fun moment from Thailand that you’d like to tell us about?
We enjoy joining with Thai friends in celebrating Loy Krathong and Songkran festivals. These festivals are full of fun. We also enjoy tremendously participating in the Celebration of Silk, Thai Silk Road to the World, which is a unique event to promote culture of Thailand and participating countries.
Do you regularly meet up with your community?
Meeting with the Nepali community is in our priority. It is the best way to know their individual or collective issue and try to address it. We meet with Nepali diaspora to celebrate National Day and National Democracy Day and to observe Nepali festivals such as Teej, Dashain and Tihar. We also frequently meet with Nepali community for the promotion of economic diplomacy, especially in organising events to promote tourism, culture, export trade and investment.
