Thalia Lyn, esteemed for her 21 years of dedicated service as the Royal Thai General Consul in Jamaica, has been honoured with the prestigious Order of the White Elephant by the Kingdom of Thailand, Commander Grade. His Excellency Kallayana Vipattipumiprates, ambassador of Thailand to Canada, presented this high accolade to Lyn during a ceremony held in Ottawa, Canada, on March 28.

The Order of the White Elephant is one of Thailand’s important honours, bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the promotion of Thai culture, bilateral relations, and humanitarian efforts. Lyn’s unwavering commitment to fostering strong ties between Thailand and Jamaica as well as her significant efforts in promoting cultural exchange and understanding have earned her this distinguished recognition.

Throughout her tenure as the Thai General Consul in Jamaica, Lyn has been instrumental in enhancing diplomatic relations and facilitating various cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations. Through trade missions, humanitarian support for tsunami victims and the ongoing collaboration of opportunities of special Thai coconut varieties in Jamaica, her leadership, coupled with her passion for cultural diplomacy, has left an indelible mark on the bilateral relations between Thailand and Jamaica.

In addition to her diplomatic endeavours, Lyn is widely respected for founding one of Jamaica’s leading businesses, Island Grill. She is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of education and community development through Mustard Seed Communities and the NCB Foundation.

Accepting the Order of the White Elephant, Lyn expressed her gratitude for the honour and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing mutual understanding and cooperation between Thailand and Jamaica. She emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy in bridging diverse societies and fostering global harmony.

The ceremony was attended by Marsha Coore Lobban, Jamaica’s commissioner-designate to Canada; Gline Arley Clarke, high commissioner of Barbados to Canada; Erick Bernard, counsellor of the Dominican Republic; Lyn’s husband, Capt Michael Lyn and her son, Michael C Lyn, the new Honorary Council for Thailand, and his wife Denise Dubuque, CBO Island Grill.