On June 20, 2024, Miss Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, was invited to the Spring Festival of Yonkers City. The main objective of this event was to support senior activities of various nationalities, including Thai. This 39th event was themed “Senior on the Move,” featuring plays and dances trained by Judy Ayres, a famous ballroom and ballet dancer known for her role in Disney's ‘Enchanted’, and other notable performers. The organizer also invited the Anurak Thai Dance Association of New York and teachers from the Buddhist Sunday School of the Vajiradhammapadip Temple to present Thai performances, namely Thep Bantheong and Esan Mueng Muan.

 

     This event was supported by the City of Yonkers, Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services, and the county legislator. Approximately 250 seniors of various nationalities attended, including 40 Thai seniors.

 

     The Royal Thai Consulate General in New York would like to express our appreciation to Yonkers City for their attention and excellent care of our Thai seniors residing in Yonkers and vicinities, and kind support rendered to the Thai Church in Yonkers. We also thank the Thai community in the area for their exemplary conduct and harmony, which have earned recognition as a strong community, as well as their dedication to promote Thai arts and culture in American society, particularly the Anurak Thai Dance Association of New York, which embodies our national identity and soft power.