Burkle Center Website, Oct. 11, 2007

On October 11, 2007, the UCLA Burkle Center, along with the International Institute, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the Department of Politcial Science, welcomed 2007-2008 UC Regents' Professor Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon with a luncheon and reception complete with live Thai music and good food. Dr. Suphamongkhon has had a long and distinguished career in diplomacy, foreign affairs, and public service, and excitement abounds for the contribution Dr. Suphamongkhon's presence will bring to the UCLA community. 
 
Dr. Suphamongkhon's received his B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and went on to obtain an M.A. in International Studies from the American University in Washington, DC and a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Southern California.  At USC he taught classes on international law, international relations and international organization. 
 
Dr. Suphamongkhon began his diplomatic career in 1984 when he joined the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He started at the Department of International Organizations where he focused on multilateral diplomacy and later served at the Department of Political Affairs.  From 1988-1992, he represented Thailand as a diplomat at the United Nations in New York.  He returned to Thailand to serve at the Department of International Organizations, during which time he also served as an adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Thai Parliament. 
 
He was himself twice elected to the Thai House of Representatives as Member of Parliament. Intermittently he was Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister of Thailand and  also served as Thai Trade Representative.  Culminating this distinguished career, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Thailand from 2005-2006.
 
At UCLA, Dr. Suphamongkhon will be a Senior Fellow at the Burkle Center for International Relations, and will be teaching courses on Diplomacy and Modern Globalization in the Political Science Department and the International Development Studies Interdepartmental Program.