intervew with

Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon

by Hans Hahne

BAHS-Graduate became foreign minster of Thailand

Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon, former minster of foreign affairs for Thailand

After he was foreign minister, UCLA reached out all the way across the world to ask him to teach there, said Suphamongkhon, who also attended UCLA as an undergraduate.

Education:

Kantathi studied International Law with a scholarship in the USA. His academic career was subsequently: 1976 Bachelor at the University of California, Los Angeles 1978 Master at American University…

Born: 3. April 1952, Bangkok, Thailand

Education: American University, University of California, University of Southern California, Bonn American High School Previous Positions: Member of House of Representatives of Thailand (2001-2002), 

Awarded:

• Thai Royal Decoration: Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• El Sol del Peru: conferred on behalf of the President of Peru in October 2005

Introduction

I met Kanthati, or Kan as his closer friends and classmates call him, in 1967 when we were both sophomores at the Bonn American High School.

We were friends and as the years went by, we got to know each other and meet intermittently, enjoying dinners with Kan and his wife as well as my partner, Petra, and my brother, Christian.

So when Jürgen asked me to interview Kan for the BAHS Alumni website, I was only too pleased to take up the mission.

What an interesting person Kan is and what a fascinating career he has had! Kan works hard, travels a lot and finds time to enjoy a fulfilling private life. His pride and joy are his wife and daughter, both of whom light his eyes when he speaks of them.

The interview itself was good and very open; Kan’s background is diplomacy, so I was somewhat surprised by the close openness of his answers. We were able to do the interview via Facetime, and I think we both had a very good time talking about and discussing the questions of the interview.

But see for yourself………

By the way, I was so much looking forward to seeing you all at the All Bonn American High School Reunion in July 2020. Unfortunately it had to be canceled out of concern for everyone’s safety.

Keep well, everyone !

Interview with Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon

1969 until the mid-70s in Bonn

The interview was conducted  a few months ago, before we learned about COVID-19.

Here’s the edited and polished version of the interview:

BAHS: If you could meet any famous person, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
KAN: As a student, I developed a deep sympathy for people who had fallen from grace. This led me to write to former U.S. President Richard Nixon after his resignation. Shortly afterward, I had the opportunity to meet with him, and during one of our conversations, he suggested I pursue a career in diplomacy, despite my father discouraging me from that path. Nixon and I stayed in touch, and I ultimately followed his advice, joining the diplomatic service of Thailand.

I also had the chance to meet Vladimir Putin, someone I do not support but who left a strong impression with his intelligence and strategic thinking. Meeting Tony Blair was equally enlightening, as was my meeting with the current Prime Minister of Malaysia, who, at 93, continues to inspire.

BAHS: What are three things in your life that you are most thankful for?
KAN: I would answer this in three parts:

1. Happiness comes from within, and I’ve always believed that external circumstances shouldn’t dictate my inner peace.
2. I am grateful for the opportunity to continually learn and expand my knowledge.
3. It has been an immense privilege to serve my country, Thailand.

BAHS: If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
KAN: I am deeply concerned about the environment, especially air pollution. I believe world governments need to take more coordinated action to address this. The international community must collaborate more effectively. For instance, exporting diesel cars to developing countries, as some German companies do, only exacerbates the problem.

BAHS: What was the best decision of your professional career?
KAN: Choosing to enter diplomacy and serve Thailand was the best decision I made. Some of the highlights were representing Thailand at the United Nations and later becoming the Foreign Minister.

BAHS: If you were a type of food, what would you be?
KAN: I enjoy well-prepared cuisine from various countries. In Germany, for example, I’ve developed a taste for different sausages, Wiener Schnitzel, Rotkohl, and Spätzle. I also love red currant juice (Johannisbeersaft), which is quite hard to find outside of Germany!

BAHS: What is a question you’ve struggled to answer, and have you found the solution?
KAN: I often wonder what happens after we die. I haven’t found the answer yet.

BAHS: How often do you check your mobile phone each day?
KAN: I try to limit my phone usage. While it’s a necessary tool, I prefer to control the time I spend on it.

BAHS: What would you do if you had an unlimited amount of money?
KAN: I wouldn’t change much—I would continue doing exactly what I am doing now.

BAHS: What career did your parents imagine for you?
KAN: My parents wanted me to become a doctor. My father, in particular, envisioned me as a surgeon. Although I started down that path, I quickly became captivated by diplomacy.

BAHS: What’s your next project?
KAN: I’m working more closely with think tanks, particularly with the Rand Corporation. I also oversee the family’s real estate business and hope to write a book in the near future.

BAHS: What’s the nicest compliment someone has ever given you?
KAN: The greatest compliments come when people act on the advice I’ve given them and it makes a positive impact.

BAHS: What can’t you live without?
KAN: I couldn’t live without personal integrity and solid principles to guide my life.

BAHS: What was your favorite subject in school?
KAN: Science and biology were my favorite subjects.

BAHS: If your life were made into a movie, who would play you?
KAN: That’s a tough one! I’m not sure who would play Kanthati, but it’s something interesting to think about.

BAHS: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
KAN: I’m happy where I am, but my favorite places are Bangkok, Los Angeles, London, and of course, Bonn!

BAHS: What would get you out of bed in the middle of the night?
KAN: Most likely, to protect my family and myself.

BAHS: What’s a decision you would undo if you could?
KAN: I would always wear a seatbelt. In my younger days, I didn’t prioritize it, but thankfully, most places enforce it now.

BAHS: What do you enjoy most about your job?
KAN: I love thinking deeply about global issues and engaging with others who share that passion. That’s what I enjoy most about being a diplomat.

BAHS: Why are you doing the job you’re doing today?
KAN: I’d refer back to my answer to the first question—my path to diplomacy was greatly influenced by my interactions with Nixon and my personal interests.

BAHS: If you had three wishes, what would they be?
KAN:

1. To live a long and healthy life.
2. To see my daughter succeed and to be part of her journey.
3. To succeed in writing a book.

Thank you

Kantathi, thank you so much for taking the time for this Intervew. It was a pleasure …

One last question

BAHS: School reunions are a time to catch up with old friends and reminisce about days gone by. Besides the usual chatting and eating, fun activities can make a reunion extra special and help people enjoy each other’s company. 
What are your thought´s on this?

KAN: Because of the Second World War and the subsequent arrangements in Germany, we met and grew up together in one of the best American schools in the world, strategically located in this beautiful small town in Germany, called Bonn. Thanks to Hans Hahne, the Hahne family and everyone involved in organizing this best 2017 reunion ever!