Students of Thai Studies had the opportunity to use their language skills and demonstrate their knowledge of Thailand during a visit to the University by the Thai Foreign Minister His Excellency Mr Kasit Piromya, His Excellency Mr Kitti Wasinondh, Ambassador of Thailand to the UK and several other dignitaries on 27th November 2010. The undergraduate students made a presentation in Thai while the MA by research students who receive scholarships from the Thai Embassy in London gave presentations about their research.  During his visit, the Foreign Minister presented the Lanna Award for the best Thai year abroad student (Petra Desatová) and best final year student (Grace Robinson - pictured receiving the award from His Excellency).

The delegation also met with Professor Duncan McCargo (POLIS), Professor Joern Dosch, Professor Michael Parnwell, Professor Christopher Dent and Dr Martin Seeger (all from East Asian Studies) to discuss current issues in Thailand. Professor Andrew Thompson, PVC (Research), Mr Alan Taylor, Honorary Consul at the Thai Consulate in Hull, Professor Mark Williams, Head of School of Modern Languages and Cultures, and Mrs Adcharawan Seeger, Teaching Fellow in Thai Language and Culture, also attended this very successful event.   Professor Thompson remarked, ‘Following the transfer to Leeds of colleagues from the Centre for South East Studies at the University of Hull, and the establishment of the White Rose East Asia Centre - a Centre of Excellence shared between Leeds and Sheffield - I am delighted to celebrate the achievements of our under and postgraduate students taking Thai Studies.  It is clear that this development would not have been possible without the generous support, both practical and financial, that we have received from the Thai Embassy in London and their consulate in Hull.  I am pleased to have had this opportunity to thank the Foreign Minister and Ambassador in person and grateful for their continued support.'

A report on the visit was broadcast on Television of Thailand on 19 Dec 2010.