On January 22, 2026, Ms. Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, together with the official and staff of the Royal Thai Consulate-General, attended the 2026 Art & Diplomacy Exhibition, the annual event organized by the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, Inc. (SoFC). The exhibition aims to promote cultural diplomacy through diverse forms of artistic expression. This year’s event welcomed over 120 participants, including members of the foreign consular corps in New York, representatives from New York City agencies, officials from the Office of Foreign Missions of the U.S. Department of State, along with members of the artistic and cultural community.

     In collaboration with the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York, SoFC showcased visual artworks by artists from Barbados, India, Morocco, Serbia, Russia, Georgia, South Africa, and Malaysia, reflecting each nation’s way of life and cultural heritage. On this occasion, the Royal Thai Consulate General presented the charm of traditional Thai music, performed on “Khim” and “Saw U”, showcasing the distinctive beauty of Thailand’s traditional musical instruments. The performance was jointly presented by Mr. Juthapat Boonsri, a volunteer music teacher from the Sunday Buddhist School at Wat Vajiradhammapateep, New York, together with Mrs. Niramon Zucker, a member of the Thai community in New York. The performance impressed attendees with its gentle, resonant melodies and distinctive Thai character.

     The Royal Thai Consulate-General is pleased and committed to supporting the creative potential of Thai artists and the Thai community in promoting Thailand’s cultural identity and enhancing Thailand’s soft power internationally.