While pursuing her Master's degree in Special Needs Education, Madame Orkhon Lkhamsuren has been residing in Thailand since her husband, HE Tumur Amarsanaa, the ambassador of Mongolia to Thailand, was posted here during the Covid pandemic in 2020. Elite+ magazine recently sat down with this busy mother and student to discuss her work, passions and the beautiful country of Mongolia.
Madame Orkhon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the Mongolian National University and School of Foreign Services in 2007. Upon finishing her studies, she worked at the Embassy of Mongolia in the Republic of Austria, which coincided with Ambassador Tumur’s first posting in Vienna. She recalled, “After returning to Mongolia, I transitioned into the private sector where I have been working ever since. Determined to continue my education, I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Special Needs Education at the University of Northampton.”
She proudly shared, “I feel very honoured to be able to represent my country in the Kingdom of Thailand. The role of a spouse to an ambassador is quite important as it comes with huge responsibilities. I am duty-bound to create a positive and favourable image of our country. On the other hand, I am so happy to be given this great opportunity.”
In many societies, there can be stigma attached to autism. In many Asian countries, including Thailand, misconceptions have led to social isolation and discrimination. With her strong sentiments, Madame Orkhon breached this subject with open frankness. “Besides being a spouse of an ambassador, as a parent of a child with special needs, I have become quite passionate about learning special needs education as it can often be quite challenging and different from what other parents experience. Thus, my keen interest in learning about my child's special needs has enabled me to support him better and make a more meaningful difference in his life. While most parents may think about their children's future in terms of the school they will attend, the job they will have and their relationships, my expectations and goals for my youngest child are quite different compared to those of his siblings. This is the case for all parents who have children with special needs. Due to this unique experience, I have developed a keen interest and desire to learn more about special needs children. I wish to know how we can better understand the needs of these individuals. It all began with my own desire to help and support my own child, but as time has passed, I have developed a desire to help other parents to provide the best possible care for their children with special needs.”
Madame Orkhon continued, “World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is an important global awareness day that has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 2012. This day is celebrated annually on the 21st of March to raise awareness about Down syndrome and promote the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with this condition worldwide. The unique date for WDSD was chosen to symbolize the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which is responsible for causing Down syndrome. Every year, the Down Syndrome International (DSi) organization creates a theme for WDSD, which serves as the basis for a global campaign. The Down syndrome community, along with their allies, come together to raise their voices and advocate for full inclusion of people with Down syndrome in all aspects of society. This year's theme, 'End of Stereotypes', aims to challenge and break down the negative stereotypes surrounding people with Down syndrome. WDSD is an important day to celebrate the diversity, strength and resilience of people with Down syndrome and to support them in achieving their full potential. It is a day for everyone to come together and promote inclusion and acceptance for all.”
Moving on to talk about her charity work, Madame Orkhon explained, “As a member of SHOM (Spouses of the Head of Missions), I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit and volunteer at various non-profit organizations. This experience has not only allowed me to give back to the community, but also express my gratitude towards Thailand, our host country for its warm hospitality.”
Next, we discussed the role of women in Mongolian households and society. “Women have always played essential roles in the history of Mongolia, especially in the nomadic lifestyle. In traditional Mongolian society, women are responsible for taking care of the household, including cooking, cleaning and raising children. However, they also play a crucial role in a family's economic well-being by managing finances, trading goods and producing handicrafts. Despite the harsh living conditions, women have long been respected for their resilience, strength and resourcefulness. Over time, women have gained more equality in education and work, and their roles have become more diverse. Today, Mongolian women are well-represented in various professions, including politics, business, education, healthcare and the arts. More than 60% of university students are women. I think it is important to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions Mongolian women are making in all aspects of society and to support their continued progress towards equality and empowerment.
Madame Orkhon has been very supportive in assisting to promote the cultural relationship between Thailand & Mongolia. “As a spouse of an ambassador, I take an active role in promoting Mongolian culture in the Kingdom of Thailand by participating in various events such as exhibitions and bazaars. In 2022, I was honoured to be a committee member for the Celebration of Thai Silk Road to the World, a signature project that promotes cross-cultural exchange in collaboration with the diplomatic community. Last year, we invited one of Mongolia's best designers, Michel Amazonka, to participate in the event.”
As we concluded our interview, Madame Orkhon discussed her views and experiences of Thailand. “I have had a truly unique and unforgettable experience in Thailand, thanks to the warm and welcoming hospitality of the Thai people. This beautiful country boasts an amazing array of landscapes, from stunning sandy beaches to lush green jungles, and Bangkok is a perfect blend of traditional and modern architecture. The people here are incredibly friendly and always ready to lend a helping hand. Of course, the cuisine is simply incredible. It is undeniable that Thailand is considered one of the world's best tourist destinations.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight that the Mongolian government has declared the period between 2023 and 2025 as the ‘Years to visit Mongolia’. I hope many Thais will take this opportunity to visit, and I am optimistic about future potential and promising collaborations between our two countries.”
