On Saturday 4 May 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., organized Thai Open House 2024 at the Embassy, as part of the Events DC “Around the World Embassy Tour” highlighting “Music Diplomacy” as the theme of this year’s event.

Ms. Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., inaugurated the Thai Open House in the morning with a joyous parade with Thai traditional music. Approximately 2,000 visitors, including Ms. Kimberly Bassett, Secretary of State of the District of Columbia, attended the event. The Thai Open House offered visitors a chance to experience and learn about Thailand through a variety of cultural performances, music, cuisine, products, and fun activities.

The Royal Thai Embassy collaborated with Team Thailand agencies, Thai communities in the DMV, as well as our partners and friends to organize various activities at the Thai Open House, which included the following:

• Exhibition on the Coronation Day of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua
• Thai snacks, desserts and drink samples - including Khao Tang Na Tang, Chor Phaka Krong, Thai popsicles, Khanom Piakpoon, and Thai beer (courtesy of the Office of Defense and Military Attaché, Office of the Naval Attaché, Office of the Air Attaché, Office of Economic and Financial Affairs, and the Royal Thai Embassy)
• Thai coffee and Thai rice tasting - samples of freshly brewed coffee from a variety of premium Thai origin coffee beans, paired with Thai rice snacks, and samples of Thai Hom Mali rice with green curry (presented by the Office of Commercial Affairs)
• Thai mocktails made with Thai ingredients such as lychee, longan, and butterfly pea flower (presented by the Office of Agricultural Affairs)
• Kids’ corner, where kids and adults learned about Thailand and Thai culture through fun activities (organized by the Office of Educational Affairs)
• Wheel of Fortune, where visitors took a survey about Thailand and received samples of Thai snacks and products (organized by the Office of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation)
• Live Thai and international contemporary music performances by the Royal Thai Embassy’s M. Bassy Band
• Live Jazz by the DC Jazz Collective, a Jazz band originally formed in 2018 to bring DC jazz to Bangkok as part of the DC Government’s Sister Cities program.
• Traditional Thai music and classical dance performance by Somapa Thai Dance Company
• T-pop dance performance (courtesy of the Office of Educational Affairs)
• Muay Thai (Thai kick-boxing) demonstration by The Little Giant Muay Thai
• Nuad Thai (Thai massage) demonstration and trial session by the Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America
• Thai food, desserts, and drink from Thai restaurants in the DMV area and members of the Thai Restaurant Association of America (Sisters Thai, Nan Thai, Sweeteria Cafe, Edy’s Chicken, Thai Brewing) and Thai communities (Thai Isan Association, and Thai- American Association)
• Art paintings by Thai artists and Thai students donated to Cancer Fighters Arts. Visitors could support a good cause as all proceeds will be donated to cancer institutions, cancer treatment and prevention efforts, and cancer patient support.
• Thai tourism information desk (with materials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, New York Office)
• Photobooth with Thai tourist attractions and Thai culture (organized by the Consular Section)
• Exhibition on Thai-U.S. Relations and History of the Royal Thai Embassy Chancery

Before the event, the Embassy promoted the Thai Open House 2024 on FOX 5 Morning live broadcast and on its website https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1447649. CDA Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya shared information about the event and showcased some activities including Muay Thai, Thai desserts, and Thai traditional music and classical dance on the program.