Department of Protocol

Department’s mandates

The Department assists the Ministry in advancing Bhutan’s foreign policy goals by creating an enabling environment for successful diplomacy and plays a significant role in laying a strong foundation for foreign relations. 

Being at the forefront of diplomatic engagements, the Department enables effective management of relations by promoting cross-cultural understanding and enhancing network with peoples and governments around the globe. Further, DoP ensures that all diplomatic representatives receive immunities and privileges which they are entitled to. DoP also supports and facilitates the work of Missions and International Organizations and its members based in Bhutan through extension of consular and other protocol related services.

 DoP is mandated to: 

1. Extend protocol and hospitality services;
2. Provide consular services to Bhutanese traveling abroad and expatriates residing in Bhutan including delivery of diplomatic bags; and
3. Provide services related to passports and travel documents.

Chief of Protocol(profile)

Mr. Ugyen Gonphel was appointed as the Chief of Protocol on the 12th of May 2020. Prior to this, he served as the officiating Chief of Protocol, Deputy Chief of Protocol for the programme and Hospitality Division, Deputy Chief of Protocol for the Passport Division  and Minister Counselor/Head of Chancery at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi, India.

He joined the civil service in 1991 and has served the government through various agencies for the past 29 years. These include working as the Planning Officer, Senior Marketing Officer and Programme Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests; Chief Training Coordinator and Chief of the Election Department in the Election Commission of Bhutan during which he was actively involved in the conduct of the First Parliamentary Democratic Elections in 2008. He also served as a cadet officer in the military from 1991 to 1995.

He received his BA from Sherubtse College in Kanglung, Bhutan; BA from the University of Delhi; Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science and MSc in Agricultural Economics (Marketing) from the Wye College, University of London.

He is married to Chhoki and they have two daughters and one son. He takes a special interest in cooking, travelling, trekking and socializing.

Divisions and their mandates

The Department of Protocol (DoP) comprises Program & Hospitality; Mission & Consular Services; and Passport Divisions.

Programme and Hospitality Division 

The Division is mandated to organize and facilitate the visits of the Head of State/Head of Government and official guests of the government. It oversees all protocol and ceremonial matters, executes and facilitates national and international events, and ensures that guests are accorded with privileges that they are entitled to.

The Raven State Guest House under the Programme and Hospitality Division arranges and provides hospitality services during important events such as Royal Audiences, Dhensa meetings and official meetings, ceremonies and occasions. 

Photo	Name	Responsibilities	Contact details
	Kinga Lhamo	Sr. Protocol Officer, Officiating Deputy Chief of Protocol	klhamo @ mfa.gov.bt
	Ugyen Pem	Asst. Protocol Officer	upem @ mfa.gov.bt
	Yangchen Lhamo	Asst. Protocol Officer	ylhamo @ mfa.gov.bt
	Namgay Choden	Asst. Protocol Officer	namgayc @ mfa.gov.bt
	Mendha Wangmo	Asst. Protocol Officer	mwangmo @ mfa.gov.bt
	Yeshi Choden	Asst. Protocol Officer	ychoden @ mfa.gov.bt
	Jigme Wangmo	Asst. Protocol Officer	jwangmo @ mfa.gov.bt
	Namgay Pelden Asst. Protocol Officer	Liaison services at Paro Liaison office	npelden @ mfa.gov.bt

Mission and Consular Services Division

Mission and Consular Services Division is mandated to facilitate and provide essential consular services to the members of diplomatic missions and foreigners in Bhutan and Bhutanese within the country and those travelling and residing abroad.

Photo	Name	Responsibilities	Contact details
	Sangay Tenzing	Sr. Protocol Officer, Officiating Deputy Chief of Protocol	stenzing @ mfa.gov.bt Ext. no: 104 (02 328266)

Passport Division

The Passport Division is mandated to provide services related to passports and travel documents to facilitate the travel of Bhutanese citizens and residents abroad.

Photo	Name	Responsibilities	Contact details
	Tshewang Dorji T Dy. Chief of Protocol	Head of Mission & Consular Division and Passport Division	tshewangd @ mfa.gov.bt  Ext. no: 106 (02 328266)

Support Staff

Photo	Name	Responsibilities	Contact details
	Wangmo PA to Chief of Protocol	Support staff	wangmo @ mfa.gov.bt Ext. no: 142 (02 322278)
	Sonam Lhamo Admin. Asst. I	Liaison services at Paro Liaison office	slhamo @ mfa.gov.bt
Raven State Guest House
	Sonam Dorji  Sr. Admin. Asst. IV	Manager	sonamdorji @ mfa.gov.bt  02 334308
	Anuja Rai Sr. Chef	support staff
	Ramjam Thinley Chef I	support staff
	Karma Tenzin Chef I	support staff
	Sangay Dorji Valet. I	support staff
	Kinley Dorji  Valet. I	support staff
	Thukten Tshering Valet. II	support staff
	Nidup Zangmo  Valet. II	support staff
	Phurba Wangmo Valet. II	support staff
	Kezang Choden  Valet. IV	support staff
	Dorji Dema B Housekeeper	support staff
	Passang Bidha  Washer Woman	support staff
	Chimi Wangmo  Dry Sweeper	support staff
	Dechen Choden  Dry Sweeper	support staff
	Ngawang Zangmo Housekeeper	support staff
	Lhamo Dish Washer	support staff
	Rinchen Lhamo Gardner	support staff
Consular
	Kezang Lhamo Admin Asst II	Diplomatic mailbags	kezangl @ mfa.gov.bt  Ext. no: 118 (02 328266)
	Tshering Jamtsho	Sr. Admin Asst	tjamtsho@mfa.gov.bt
Passport
	Ngawang Pem	Sr. Admin Asst. V	npem @ mfa.gov.bt  Ext. no: 109 (02 328266)
	Tshewang Lhamo	Admin Asst. I	tshewanglhamo @ mfa.gov.bt  Ext. no: 110 (02 328266)
	Ms. Pema Choden	Admin Asst. I	pemac @ mfa.gov.bt Ext. no: 110 (02 328266)
	Kencho Dema	Admin Asst. II	kdema @ mfa.gov.bt  Ext. no: 109 (02 328266)
	Cheku Dorji	Admin Asst. II	cdorji @ mfa.gov.bt  Ext. no:  107 (02 328266)
	Kinley Budha	Messenger	kinleyb @ mfa.gov.bt Ext. no: 142 (02 322278)