On September 11, 2025, Ms. Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, together with Ms. Katesuda Thongna, Consul, attended a workshop on Thai Massage Master Class. More than 50 Thai and international massage therapists participated in the training. The workshop was held as part of the 2025 U.S. Thai Massage Championship, organized by the Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America from September 11–13, 2025, in Watertown, Massachusetts. The Championship was jointly supported by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York.

 

     On this occasion, Consul General Somjai delivered welcoming remarks to the participants, highlighting the significance and uniqueness of "Nuad Thai". She emphasized that Nuad Thai reflects the value of traditional Thai medical wisdom, resulting in the inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She also praised Thai massage practitioners for their role in promoting Thailand’s “soft power,” helping Thai massage gain global recognition, while preserving and passing on this valuable heritage to future generations.

 

     At the event, Consul General Somjai also met with Mrs. Jaroenporn Hacker, President of the Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America, together with the Association’s Executive Committee and Khun. Pinyapatch Chanyathunyaroj, the Association’s Representative for the Northeastern Region of the United States. They discussed ways to promote Nuad Thai businesses in the United States, organize activities to enhance the essence of Nuad Thai as a holistic health practice, and advocate for the recognition of Thai massage qualifications from Thailand to support licensing applications in the United States.