Bangkok: His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen granted an audience to a group of foreign ambassadors accredited to Thailand to bid farewell upon the completion of their term of office. The ceremony took place at Amporn Sathan Throne Hall, Dusit Palace, on August 8, 2026, marking the end of the ambassadors' diplomatic missions in Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, the sequence of farewells commenced at 6:03 PM with Mr. Patrick Bourne, the Ambassador of Ireland to Thailand. Mr. Bourne, who had initially presented his credentials on October 7, 2022, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sonali Rajasingham Bourne, during the audience with His Majesty the King.
Following this, at 6:14 PM, His Majesty the King welcomed Mr. Patrick Hemmer, the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Thailand. Ambassador Hemmer, who also presented his credentials on October 7, 2022, was joined by his wife, Mrs. Magdalena Hemmer, as they bid farewell to the Thai monarch.
At 6:27 PM, Ms. Astrid Emilie Helle, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Thailand, was granted an audience. Accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Abdeslam Ajamay, Ms. Helle had presented her credentials on the same day as her fellow departing ambassadors in 2022, marking the end of her diplomatic service in the country.
The final farewell of the evening took place at 6:36 PM with Mr. Pedro Zwahlen, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Thailand. Unlike the other ambassadors, Mr. Zwahlen had presented his credentials more recently, on June 21, 2023, before concluding his term.
Additionally, at 7:01 PM, Her Majesty the Queen was honored by the Board of Directors of the Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons of Thailand. During this audience, Her Majesty was recognized with the title of Honorary Member and was presented with the academic gown and certificate of honorary membership, underscoring her support and contributions to the medical field in Thailand.