ST: New ambassadors to Thailand and the Philippines appointed

THE Government has appointed Mrs Chua Siew San as Singapore's next ambassador to Thailand, and Mr V.P. Hirubalan as the country's next ambassador to the Philippines.

The two senior diplomats will take up their posts in Bangkok and Manila on March 5 and March 12 respectively, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) statement.

Mrs Chua, who is 61 this year, began her career at the Ministry of Defence, where she headed the Research Department from 1983 to 1995, and then served as deputy secretary for policy from 1995 to 2006.

She then moved to the MFA to take on her current appointment as MFA's deputy secretary overseeing the Asia-Pacific region.

The appointment to Bangkok will be Mrs Chua's first ambassadorial posting.

She succeeds Mr Peter Chan, who has served as Singapore's ambassador to Thailand since 2005.

Mr Hirubalan, who is 62 this year, also started his career in the Ministry of Defence.

He leaves his most recent post as MFA's director in charge of the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, to take on his new appointment in the Philippines.

He has more than 15 years of diplomatic experience under his belt.

The appointment to the Philippines is his fourth overseas posting.

He was High Commissioner to Brunei from 2002 to 2005 and ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2006 to 2009.

Mrs Chua is married to Mr Chua Eu Liam and they have two sons.

Mr Hirubalan and his wife, Mrs Manoranchitham Hirubalan, have three children.

PHUA MEI PIN