His Excellency Mr. Bandhit Sotipalalit has been Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Thailand to the Commonwealth of Australia since April 19th, 2006, and is concurrently accredited to the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu.

From 2002 until assuming his current position, he was Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary, overseeing administration of the Ministry. He was the chief logistics coordinator for APEC in 2003, and the Advisor to the Task Force for His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 60th Anniversary of Ascension to the Throne in 2006.

Prior to 2002, His Excellency held a number of international assignments, including Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Thailand to the Republic of India from 2000-2002 and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Thailand to the Republic of South Africa from 1996-2000. While serving in the Republic of South Africa, he was also accredited to Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Zambia.

Among the positions he has held within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok are Ambassador Attached to the Ministry and Assistant Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary. He has also served as Consul-General of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Berlin, Germany; First Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar; and Third Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.

His Excellency Mr. Bandhit Sotipalalit obtained an LL.B., from Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1969 as an officer in the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunity Division. He attended the National Defence College of Thailand in 1993.

In terms of decoration, His Excellency received the Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand in 2001, and the Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the White Elephant of Thailand in 2006.

Born on November 4th, 1948, he is married to Mrs. Saijai Sotipalalit. They have a daughter Chongco and a son Kovit. His hobbies include golf and internet surfing.