The first Ambassador of Latvia accredited to the Kingdom of Thailand

On 22 June 2026, in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, Kārlis Eihenbaums, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia, presented his credentials to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand during a formal ceremony. Kārlis Eihenbaums is the first Ambassador of Latvia to Thailand.

During the presentation of credentials, bilateral relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Kingdom of Thailand were discussed. The Ambassador praised the dialogue between the two countries and expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation between both countries in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as regionally with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The potential for further development of relations was emphasised, including economic cooperation, taking into account the ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement between the European Union and Thailand. During the visit, international security challenges were discussed, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During his accreditation visit, Kārlis Eihenbaums met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and other officials.

Kārlis Eihenbaums has been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since January 1993. Initially, he was the Director of the Western European Department, later became the Director of the America Department. During his career as a diplomat, he also served as director of the First Bilateral Relations Department, was the Foreign Ministry’s Press Secretary, as well as the Head of the Latvian Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. He was also a Foreign Affairs Adviser to the President of Latvia, Guntis Ulmanis. Kārlis Eihenbaums has extensive experience of working in diplomatic and consular missions of Latvia abroad. His postings include First Secretary at the Embassy of Latvia in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and Counsellor at the Embassy of Latvia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the first Permanent Representative of Latvia to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the State of Israel, the Republic of Estonia, and Canada. Since August 2024, Kārlis Eihenbaums has served as Ambassador of Latvia to the People’s Republic of China. On 12 December 2025, Ambassador of Latvia Kārlis Eihenbaums presented his letters of credence to President Luong Cuong of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and on 3 April 2026 to the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.

Kārlis Eihenbaums is the recipient of various decorations, both from Latvia and other countries, including the Latvian Three Star Order in 2013 for his contributions to the promotion of Latvia’s diplomatic relations, and the Cabinet of Ministers Certificate of Recognition in 2008. In 2009, Kārlis Eihenbaums received the Estonian Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana. In 2003 he was made the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange–Nassau of the Netherlands and in 1997 he was decorated with France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour. Ambassador Eihenbaums is also Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and a member of the National Order of Merit of Malta.

Kārlis Eihenbaums is a graduate of the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the University of Latvia, and has undertaken further education at Aarhus University in Denmark and elsewhere.

The Ambassador Kārlis Eihenbaums is residing in Beijing, China.