On 26 September 2022, Ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata and his spouse paid an official visit to the London Borough of Merton and attended the reception hosted by Councillor Joan Henry, Mayor of Merton. The reception was also attended by around 30 representatives from local communities, organisations, and businesses. Merton Council, which is responsible for South West London area covering Wimbledon, New Malden, Morden, and Mitcham, is particularly important as it hosts a great number of Thai citizens and the iconic Buddhapadipa Temple in Wimbledon.

This visit to the Merton Council, which was the first official one made by a foreign Ambassador in the UK in this area in many years, was the initiative from the Merton Council to mark the achievements of Ambassador Pisanu in representing Thailand and leading the Thai diaspora in the UK, especially in Merton, during the past six years, which help strengthen the relation between the two countries and within the local communities in Merton. Buddhapadipa Temple is widely appreciated by the people of Merton of its importance as a centre of Thai Buddhism and culture, as well as the unique learning centre on the interfaith and diversity in beliefs and religions for nearby local communities. This event was also organised to formally bid farewell to Ambassador Pisanu and his spouse upon the completion of his tour of duty following his retirement from the Thai diplomatic service at the end of this month.

On this occasion, Councillor Joan Henry, Madame Mayor of Merton, presented the borough’s coat of arms in recognition of the Ambassador’s achievements and as a token of appreciation for the friendship and close cooperation between the Royal Thai Embassy in London and the Merton Council in promoting cultural exchanges and friendly relations between the two countries at the local level.