H. E. Ms. Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán The Peruvian Ambassador to Thailand

Last November marked 57 years of diplomatic relations between Peru and Thailand since 1965. In June last year, H. E. Ms. Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to the Kingdom of Thailand arrived in Bangkok. In October, Ambassador Cecilia presented her credentials to King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. In 1993, the Thai King paid an official visit to Peru in his capacity as the Prince of Thailand. In addition to Thailand, she is also representing her country as Ambassador (non-resident) to the Philippines. Expat Life sat down with Ambassador Cecilia to learn about her perspective on Thailand and discuss the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Cecilia arrived in Thailand directly from Peru, where she was Director General for Asia and Oceania at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was born and educated in Lima. She held a law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from theDiplomatic Academy of Peru. In addition, she graduated with a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom.

Looking back at her diplomatic career, Ambassador Cecilia shared, ‘I grew up as the youngest sibling of seven children’s households. I was very fortunate to be guided by my elder brothers to study hard and understand the importance of perseverance. I have been inspired to be a diplomat since my teenage years. Prior to my arrival to Thailand, being Director General for Asia was a very fruitful experience that allowed me to get to know the region and the issues more relevant to the relations between Peru and Asian countries’.

Ambassador Cecilia has served other overseas Peruvian missions in Guatemala, Germany and USA. ‘We learned at the Diplomatic Academy that a diplomatic career is a career of service, to serve our country and people. As diplomats, we are public servants that make a commitment to also assist our compatriots abroad. This is what I have aimed to achieve throughout my career’.

Ambassador Cecilia foresees enormous potentials on the bilateral relationship between Peru and Thailand today. ‘Thailand and Peru have had a strategic partnership since 2013 on different fields. Thailand is our second trade partner in the South East Asian region. We have an Early Harvest Free Trade Agreement with Thailand since 2011 and we have concluded the ratification procedure of a IV Additional Protocol signed in 2022. Peruvian companies will continue participating in this year’s THAIFEX. We see investment opportunities for Thai enterprises in terms of tourism, manufacturing, infrastructure, food industry, construction and logistics. Peru can add as a Gateway to South America for Thai companies and as a hub for industrial and transport business with our Chancay Port.”

She further elaborated, ‘Thailand is the only country in SE Asiawith which Peru has a Development Cooperation Programme currently running from 2021 – 2023. It focuses on six areas. The first area is public health where medical seminars such as ‘Clinical management of COVID-19 cases, infection control in field hospitals establishments’ were held in 2021; ‘Peruvian experience in the third wave of COVID – 19: Exchange of experiences in vaccination management’, was held last year, and we had a webinar on monkeypox that took place in February this year. The second area is sustainable development and community based tourism, in the framework of which a memorandum of understanding between Dusit Thani and the Peruvian tourism educational entity (CENFOTUR) is being coordinated. The other areas include gastronomy, alternative development with a project focused on medicinal plants between the Peruvian national authority DEVIDA and the Centre of Research of Medicinal Plants of Mae Fah Luang University, as well as cooperation on space technologies and applications between Thai GISTDA and Peruvian CONIDA. The last area is training on Human Resources.”

Ambassador Cecilia also commented that APEC cooperation was very strong during the Thailand Presidency last year. She added that current President Dina Boluarte (then Vicepresident) headed Peru’s delegation in 2022 and was delighted by her visit. Peru looks forward for that close collaboration to build up further during its APEC Presidency in 2024. ‘Despite the great distance between our two countries, trade has blossomed and vigorously shares experiences in various sectors’.

On the subject of similarities between Peru and Thailand, Ambassador Cecilia candidly shared, ‘I see many similarities between our beautiful countries. Firstly, our people are kind with friendly attitudes. Secondly, both of our cultures are rich in tradition and history, vibrant, colourful with festivities concentrated on music and dance. Lastly, we share the same common love for food. Both Thai and Peruvian cuisines are world famous, with some similar ingredients such as chillies and cilantros. Both countries are smart to engage in the usage of gastro diplomacy’.

Expat Life asked Ambassador Cecilia about recommendations for a first time visitor of Peru. She delightfully announced, ‘Peru was chosen as the best culinary destination in the world in 2022. With our Peruvian long history, there are numerous tourist destinations that are not to be missed. Here I would just like to touch on a few examples. They include the historic city and modern architecture of Lima and the region of Ica; in the north the Moche Route – Lambayeque and La Libertad; in the Amazon beautiful national parks like Pacaya Samiria, full of biodiversity; of course the Imperial City of Cusco and Machu Picchu; Lake Titicaca in Puno and to the south the “white city” of Arequipaand the Colca and volcanoes valleys.”

Since her arrival last year, Ambassador Cecilia ’s schedule has been busily packed leading up to APEC in November and Thai Silk Exhibition in early December. She has yet to travel much around Thailand except the short visit to Ayutthaya and Lopburi. As an early riser, she enjoys attending the gym before going to the office. She vigilantly plans her activities and tasks for the coming weeks or months every Monday with proper coordination meetings.

Ambassador Cecilia has set some goals that she would like to fulfil in Thailand. ‘I want our strategic partnership to deepen in several areas. I would really like to see our Full Free Trade Agreement signed, as our pomegranate and citrus fruits enter the Thai market. At the same time, I hope to encourage more Thai investment in Peru, to see more people to people links, with students, tourists, academics and entrepreneurs. I am looking forward to our Peruvian delegation to THAIFEX in May. On the cultural side, in July, we will hold an exhibition of Peruvian pottery “Toritos de Pucara” to the Thai public. In the longer term, the embassy awaits the celebration of the 60th bilateral relations between our two countries in 2025’.

Although the number of Peruvians living in Thailand is around a100, Ambassador Cecilia credited that Thailand is a desirable destination and well known for Peruvians, especially due to the effort and hard work made by the Royal Thai Embassy in Lima. Due to the significant distance that separates the two places, it remains an obstacle to encourage more tourism. The Peruvian community is connected together via social media applications. The embassy is looking forward to getting more person to person gatherings.

Ambassador Cecilia hopes to encourage more Thai students to apply to exchange programmes in Latin America. ‘We offer great experience in learning the language and culture. There are broad possibilities in gaining knowledge with city lives and nature. The Universidad del Pacifico has a memorandum of understanding with Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, and University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, allowing closer cooperation in various academic fields and exchange of students and researchers’.

As our interview drew to a close, Ambassador Cecilia reiterated that she has enjoyed her time in Thailand very much and looks forward to getting to know even more. ‘I have met many wonderful people and made nice friendships, amongst Thai officials and authorities, fantastic colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps, at the gym, the press and media, business community and in all walks of life here’.