Trading doubts for trust: Thai Trade representative addresses past controversy

The newly designated Thai trade representative recently responded to lingering media scepticism regarding her background and qualifications. Nalinee Taveesin insisted that any past misunderstandings had been resolved.

This was a reference to her blacklisting by the United States Department of the Treasury approximately ten years ago. This was due to her alleged business connections with the then-sanctioned regime of Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe. The sanctions against her were imposed after she was appointed as a trade representative for the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Refusing to step down amid the allegations in January 2012, Nalinee maintained that her interactions with the Mugabe family were purely social. A complaint was subsequently lodged with the Office of Ombudsman, which, after reviewing her case, found nothing…