Sihasak Phuangketkeow is a seasoned career diplomat with over four decades of experience in Thai foreign affairs. He is widely regarded as a strategic thinker capable of charting Thai diplomacy in a complex and uncertain world.
After diplomatic hiccups under the Paetongtarn government, Thailand seeks to return to and play active roles in regional and global affairs. His diplomatic expertise and knowledge of regional issues will be a major asset.
Sihasak’s career is a testament to his dedication and skill, beginning in 1979 when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an attaché. He steadily rose through the ranks, holding key positions both in Thailand and abroad, including diplomatic postings in Washington, D.C., Tokyo, and Hong Kong.
Within the Ministry, he served as Director-General of the Department of Information and as Spokesman. In addition, he has deep knowledge of regional issues, having been the head of the Thai delegation to the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting and the country’s representative on the High-Level Task Force that drafted the ASEAN Charter.
A hallmark of Sihasak’s career is his extensive involvement in multilateral diplomacy. He served as Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, where he was also President of the Human Rights Council for its Fifth Cycle, highlighting Thailand’s commitment to human rights and multilateralism.
His later appointments included Thai Ambassador to Japan and France. After his retirement, he continued to contribute to global peace and stability through various capacities with regional think tanks and humanitarian organizations.
He also served briefly as Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs between 2023 and 2024 and as Permanent Secretary from 2011 to 2015.
With his return under the new government, Sihasak is expected to spearhead Thailand’s foreign policy, focusing on reviving economic growth through trade and investment, normalizing relations with neighboring countries, and elevating Thailand's international profile.
His reputation as a "steady hand" will help restore the country's voice in international forums, which he often described as “radars.”
After a period of benign and highly personalized policies under the previous government, Thai diplomatic finesse is making a comeback.
