On April 25, 2024, Consul General Somjai Taphaopong witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Fine Arts Department of Thailand and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), which was held at The Met. The MOU was signed by Mr. Phnombootra Chandarajoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department of Thailand, and Mr. Max Hollein, Director & CEO of The Met. The ceremony was well attended by Executive Director Nitaya Kanokmongkol of the Office of National Museums of Thailand who represented the Director-General at the ceremony, heads and representatives of Team Thailand agencies in New York City, and the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations, members of the local Thai press, as well as other distinguished guests and media representatives from The Met.

 

     During the ceremony, Consul General Somjai congratulated both organizations on their successful collaboration in signing the MOU, which reflects the long-established strategic alliance and partnership between the two countries in various dimensions, including arts and culture, and people-to-people connections. This will also enhance the understanding of the history of human civilization.

 

     Additionally, on April 24-25, 2024, the Royal Thai Consulate General supported Executive Director Nitaya during her visit to New York, facilitating both the signing ceremony and discussions with The Met regarding the museum’s initiative to repatriate two antiquities to Thailand. These sculptures were also displayed during the ceremony.