He sees his task as ensuring that “strategies and related work plans are translated into concrete actions,” particularly in trade, investment, education, training, and cultural exchange. Strengthening high-level engagement, he adds, will be “key to further strengthening our relationship.”

Arriving in the British capital on 31 January and beginning his official duties on 3 February 2025, he says his impressions have been “extremely positive.” London, he observes, is “both vibrant and cosmopolitan,” a city whose ongoing construction and renewal “reflect the resilience and dynamism of the UK economy, even amidst varying economic statistics.”

With one of the world’s largest diplomatic communities, a broad network of government and private-sector partners, and a substantial Thai community in the UK, he notes that “there is much for me to do.”

A Career Shaped by Global Curiosity

Although Dr Krishnamra’s career appears perfectly aligned with the world of diplomacy, he explains that his path was not predetermined. “I have always been deeply interested in history and international affairs,” he recalls. Yet his education across Thailand, the UK, Switzerland and elsewhere left him “eager to apply the knowledge and training I had gained from my studies to share with others back home.”

European Lessons for a New Posting

Having previously served as Thailand’s Ambassador to Germany, Dr Krishnamra brings to London insights shaped by Europe’s interconnected political landscape. While the UK “often thinks of itself as an island,” a perspective “clearly reflected in Brexit,” he says his experience in Europe highlighted “how Europe is interconnected through shared interests, peoples, and political frameworks.”

He notes that “the European project remains important despite current challenges,” and reflects that “both the EU and the UK have missed opportunities in the wake of Brexit.” Coalition-building and collaborative diplomacy—central to his work in Germany—are approaches he intends to continue applying in the UK.

Multilateralism in an Era of Fragmentation

Dr Krishnamra’s previous roles at the Department of International Organisations and in Geneva have reinforced his – and Thailand’s – long-standing belief in the importance of a rules-based order. As he explains, Thailand is not small in terms of geography, population, or its role as “the second biggest” economy in Southeast Asia. But to safeguard its interests, “we need additional multipliers which mean that we have always recognised the importance of a rules-based international system.”

Amid current geopolitical tensions, he acknowledges that multilateralism is challenged by “growing divisions and unilateral tendencies.” Yet he stresses that many states continue to rely on the UN and other platforms to coordinate global action on “climate change and humanitarian crises.” In his view, countries will require “nimble footwork” to uphold principles while “maximising opportunities for cooperation across divides.”

A Post-Brexit Window of Opportunity

For the Ambassador, the current moment presents significant opportunities to expand economic cooperation. “The UK is keen to promote its growth and prosperity and is actively seeking partners across the globe,” he says, noting that Thailand has long been a trusted economic counterpart.

He highlights emerging prospects in the digital economy, advanced electronics, and the energy transition, especially in “green technologies and sustainable energy,” alongside efforts to “upskill and reskill the Thai workforce.” He also points to Thailand’s appetite for new trade agreements, including the potential for a Thailand–UK Free Trade Agreement, calling it “an important window for the UK to act swiftly.”