Thailand | Thai and Indonesian Ombudsman strengthen bilateral ties through second-phase MOU signing

During 10 – 12 October 2018, Mr. Viddhavat Rajatanun, Ombudsman for Chief Ombudsman of Thailand and Mr. Boon Tapanadul, Ombudsman of Thailand, and Mr. Raksagecha Chaechai, Secretary-General of the Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand welcomed the delegation from the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia led by Professor Amzulian Rifai, Chairman of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Dadan Suparjo Suharmawijaya, Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, and Dr. Suganda Pandapotan Pasaribu, Secretary-General of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, on their mission to Thailand to sign the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia. 

Thai and Indonesian Ombudsman firstly signed MOU in March 2015 with the objectives to strengthen institutional cooperative frameworks including protection of citizens of both Parties’ countries, improvement of complaint handling systems, exchange of knowledge and best practices, and redress of grievances of both countries’ citizens such as relieving difficulties encountered by a group of Thai students in Indonesia regarding some Indonesian university degrees that cannot be applied for work or higher education in Thailand as they have different educational methods, by providing a proficiency test and additional practicum course to make their degree validated in Thailand.

The MOU had become effective from 2015 and expired in March 2018.  With concrete outcome reflected through initiatives and projects, the Ombudsmen of both countries agreed to renew and extend the effective period to five years, resulting in MOU signing ceremony on 10 October 2018 at Thailand’s Ombudsman Office.

In this connection, the Indonesian delegation visited Chiang Mai Province for on-site investigation with local authorities, demonstrating Thai Ombudsman’s success in alleviating dust and haze problem and exchanged information on approaches to tackle similar problem in Indonesia.

Source: Office of the Ombudsman, Thailand