Bangkok connection for Queen's new press assistant

A Briton who went to live and work in Thailand after university, and was asked to help with the Queen's state visit to Bangkok last year, has been appointed as assistant press secretary to the Queen.

David Tuck, 30, will take up his new appointment next week, Buckingham Palace announced yesterday.

He fills the vacancy created by the promotion of Penny Russell-Smith to be deputy press secretary, when Geoff Crawford succeeded Charles Anson last month as press secretary.

Mr Tuck, who was educated at Westminster School and University College, London, worked for the British Embassy in Bangkok after deciding to stay in that part of the world.

He was not a career diplomat but was employed locally at the embassy, said a Palace spokesman.

Since 1995 he has been head of the British Trade Office in Vientiane, Laos, but last year agreed to return to Thailand to help with press arrangements for the Queen's visit.