On July 14, 2024, Miss Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General in New York, gave the opening remarks at a reception for the Thai film crew and U.S. film distributors. The event was organized by the New York Asian Film Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) to celebrate the screening of six Thai films at the 2024 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF). The films featured are:
(1) Not Friends
(2) Pattaya Heat
(3) Supposed
(4) The Cursed Land
(5) Operation Undead and
(6) How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.
These films received a warm welcome from New York audiences, with
tickets selling briskly at Film at Lincoln Center theaters.
Consul General Somjai expressed her gratitude to the New York Asian Film Foundation, Inc., Film at Lincoln Center, and THACCA for their support of Thai films. She encouraged attendees to watch all the featured Thai films, which reflect diverse and rich storytelling from Thailand through the perspectives of Thai filmmakers. She also invited filmmakers to consider Thailand as a filming location, highlighting its popularity among global filmmakers.
On this occasion, Consul General Somjai presented flowers to congratulate the directors, producers, and cast of the four Thai films that had already premiered at the festival on July 13-14, 2024: Not Friends, Pattaya Heat, Supposed, and The Cursed Land.
The 2024 NYAFF opened on July 12, 2024, with Consul General Somjai walking the red carpet alongside distinguished guests. She also participated in the panel discussion “Thailand’s Cinematic Spectrum,” which focused on the current Thai film industry and was moderated by Mr. Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, a subcommittee member for film industry promotion. This discussion took place right before the reception. Additionally, she showed her support through attending the screening of various Thai films at the festival.