On Sunday, February 8, 2026, Ms. Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, attended the “AAAC 20th Anniversary Milestone Celebration & 20th Annual New Year Asian Expo 2026” at the invitation of Ms. Tammy Tin-Yee Ngan, Founder and Executive Director of the Asian American Activity Center, Inc. (AAAC), at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in New York.

The event was organized to commemorate the 20th anniversary of AAAC, which has played a significant role in promoting Asian cultural heritage and fostering unity among Asian communities in New York City. The expo featured cultural performances, authentic cuisine demonstrations, traditional costume showcases, and family-friendly activities presented by diverse communities, including Myanmar, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Korean, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese participants.

The Consul General extended her congratulations to Ms. Tammy and expressed appreciation for AAAC’s role in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among Asian communities in the United States.

Members of the Thai community, associations, and clubs in New York also actively participated in the event, including Thai Life New York, the New York Thai Classical Dance Preservation Club, the Sunday Buddhist School of Wat Vajiradhammapadip, Thai volunteers, teachers, and Thai youth born and raised in the United States. They beautifully presented Thai cultural performances and fruit and vegetable carving demonstrations, which greatly impressed the audience. Their participation reflected the love, unity, and strong solidarity of the Thai community abroad.