On 4 March 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy welcomed Dr. Vilawan Mangklatanakul, a member of the International Law Commission (ILC) and a distinguished international law expert, during her visit to Singapore to participate in activities organized by the Centre for International Law (CIL). On this occasion, she granted an exclusive interview to Sun Media’s IN Diplomacy at the Embassy’s reception hall.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Ms. Nomita Dhar, Editor-in-Chief of IN Diplomacy, Dr. Vilawan reflected on her distinguished career, including her tenure as Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna. In these roles, she managed the full spectrum of embassy missions, balancing legal precision with diplomatic nuance. She emphasized that the "Rule of Law" is the vital foundation of international order for small and medium-sized states. As the first Thai woman and first female international lawyer from ASEAN elected to the ILC (2023–2027), she is dedicated to ensuring that regional perspectives are reflected in global legal drafting. She also shared her "diplomat first, lawyer second" philosophy, maintaining that while law provides the necessary structure, continuous dialogue remains the heart of sustainable international cooperation amidst geopolitical shifts and the erosion of global rules.

In the bilateral dimension, Dr. Vilawan observed the strengthening relationship between Thailand and Singapore, particularly in arbitration and dispute resolution reform. She noted that the active participation of Thai representatives in CIL activities serves to reinforce this cooperation, yielding positive outcomes for other dimensions of the relationship as well.

Dr. Vilawan is a career diplomat with a Ph.D. in Law from the University of London and is globally recognized for her leadership as President of the 67th IAEA General Conference and Chair of the 57th Session of UNCITRAL, achievements which underscore Thailand’s leading role and expertise in the global legal and diplomatic arena.