Thai ambassador to Belgium Busaya Mathelin has been approved by cabinet for the position of permanent secretary of foreign affairs, the first woman to hold the post.
Ms Busaya, 57, will take over the job on Oct 1, replacing permanent secretary Apichart Chinwanno, who retires on Sept 30, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting.
Mr Don said Ms Busaya is the first woman to be appointed foreign affairs permanent secretary. He praised her clean record, hard work, capability and seniority.
With three years left in government service, Ms Busaya was suited for the job. She would have enough time to set work guidelines at the ministry, Mr Don said.
The ministry will choose a new ambassador to Belgium and submit the name for cabinet approval, he added.
Ms Busaya received royal endorsement as ambassador to Belgium and head of the mission of Thailand to the European Union on Feb 13 this year. Her appointment was announced in Royal Gazette on March 3.
She served as director general of the European Affairs Department and ambassador to Senegal and Spain before being posted to Brussels.