Thai women’s role international peacekeepers

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Thailand's adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and the role of Thai women as international peacekeepers is on a positive trajectory.

According to the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry, 28 of the 273 Thai military and police personnel serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) are women.

A female police officer and a female military officer are currently serving at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

At the 2025 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Berlin, Thailand’s Defence Minister pledged to increase the number of women peacekeepers in UN missions, from approximately 20 percent to 30 percent, specifically in the Individual Uniformed Personnel category.

Cataleya Phatoomros, deputy director general of the International Organisations Department of the Thai foreign affairs ministry, noted the opportunity to bring more women into diplomatic roles, highlighting the unique skills they bring in fostering dialogue and building connections.

Cataleya Phatoomros, deputy director general of the International Organisations Department of the Thai foreign affairs ministry

“We're not reaching gender parity yet, but I think we are on the right track. The government is very committed to increasing the number of female personnel in UN peacekeeping missions,” Cataleya said.

She was speaking at the ‘Women in Diplomacy’ panel discussion, organised by Thai PBS World and Stamford International University.

The event aimed at sharing the journeys of female diplomats and exploring how women in international affairs contribute to their nations.

Other speakers included Ambassador of Peru to Thailand Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, Ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes and E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand.

Cataleya Phatoomros on the left, followed by E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand. Millicent Cruz Paredes, Ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand and Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, Ambassador of Peru to Thailand

Cataleya said her path to diplomacy was unconventional.

She began her career in television production, before deciding to study international human rights and refugee law, a shift that clarified her aspirations.

“I started working as a human rights desk officer. That experience affirmed what I felt, that I could do something meaningful. That’s what really inspired me and I think that’s the key,” she explained.

For Paredes, diplomacy was not her first choice. She once dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon or a lawyer and even spent some time in law school before realising it wasn’t the path for her. Then she saw an advertisement about diplomacy in a newspaper and it caught her interest.

Millicent Cruz Paredes, ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand

She passed one of the toughest entrance exams and has now served as a diplomat for over 30 years.

“Whatever you become in the future, it's alright, as long as you're able to contribute to nation-building or world peace,” she said. “As long as you leave the world a better place than when you arrived, it doesn’t matter what profession you choose.”

Ambassador Bazán of Peru said that her journey was guided by her second brother, who encouraged her to believe in herself and to pursue her dreams with determination.

“He told me it doesn’t matter what you want to do, as long as you put in the effort,” she recalled. “If you persevere, you can reach your goals.” It was during her teenage years that she came across an article about diplomacy that sparked her interest.

At one point, Bazán dreamed of becoming Secretary-General of the UN, inspired by Ambassador Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.

“I used to dream of being Secretary-General of the UN. In the end, my path led me to bilateral work instead of multilateral, but he was certainly an inspiration. That’s how I became a diplomat,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Edirisinghe of Sri Lanka explained that her interest in diplomacy was sparked through learning foreign languages.

“I studied various languages, including Japanese and Hindi, and met many international friends. That’s when I realised that, if I became a diplomat, my life would be more international,” she said.

Work-life balance while serving the nation

Diplomats often face the challenge of being stationed abroad, far from their families. For many female diplomats, the dual responsibility of motherhood adds another layer of complexity.

Edirisinghe shared her experience of serving at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad, while raising her two daughters and pursuing a Master’s degree in international relations, which was a requirement for her next promotion.

E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand.

“When delegations visit, I can’t attend university. I have to be fully present at work, but also keep up with my coursework. Balancing studies, job, family and professional responsibilities is very challenging,” she said.

Bazán noted that diplomacy in Peru remains a male-dominated field and navigating leadership expectations has been one of her biggest hurdles.

Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, ambassador of Peru to Thailand

She described herself as soft-spoken, feminine, and gentle. These are traits not often associated with leadership in a male-dominated profession. She felt pressure to adopt a more “masculine” style to be considered for promotions.

“It wasn’t easy to show my superiors, especially those deciding on promotions, that my leadership style was effective,” she explained. “It took me six attempts to become an ambassador.”

Yet, she never gave up.

The presence of women shifts the dynamics

Beyond diplomacy, women’s participation in international organisations, such as the United Nations, has also grown.

Paredes highlighted that, while women are often seen as emotional, this should be viewed as a strength, representing empathy and compassion.

She emphasised that diplomats are the first line of defence in peace negotiations. One of the Philippines’ most significant peace accords, the deal that ended decades of conflict in the southern region, was negotiated and signed by a woman.

“It was a woman who negotiated and signed the peace deal that established, what is now, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” Paredes said, underscoring the value of women's contributions to peacebuilding. “Former warriors are now governing instead of fighting.”

Inspiring the younger generations

The ‘Women in Diplomacy’ panel also welcomed university and high school students. Among them was Waranya Thawainark, a first-year student of Language and Intercultural Communication at Srinakharinwirot University. She was attending such a panel for the first time.

Waranya Thawainark, a first-year student of Language and Intercultural Communication at Srinakharinwirot University.

She told Thai PBS World that she is deeply inspired by the ambassadors’ journeys, especially the resilience they have demonstrated in overcoming challenges.

“No matter what voices or opinions we hear from the outside, the most important things are our own feelings and passion. That’s what truly matters. If you’re determined, you can absolutely do it,” she said.

The stories of these four distinguished ambassadors reflect not only personal perseverance, but also the rising influence of women in diplomacy.

Their experiences show that leadership comes in many forms, and that empathy, resilience and dedication are powerful assets in international affairs.

As more women step into these roles, they are reshaping diplomacy into a more inclusive and representative field, thus paving the way for the next generation to follow with confidence and purpose.