The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Thailand Foundation will present 1-3 Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 (TPDA2024) to individuals, groups or organizations, both Thai and foreign nationals, who have significantly contributed to enhancing the reputation, prestige, image, and popularity of Thailand, ‘Thainess’ and Thai people among the international community.  

The Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award aims to:

1. Honor individuals, groups or organizations working for public benefit in areas such as humanitarian efforts, Thai culture promotion, sports and innovation, etc. that have significantly contributed to Thailand’s public diplomacy efforts. 
2. Encourage the awardees to continue with their work, while serving as a strong example and role model for other individuals, groups and organizations to follow suit.
3. Support and foster awareness that all individuals, groups and organizations, can play active parts in advancing public diplomacy, which has an important role in promoting international relationships at people-to-people level.

Details and nomination requirements for individuals, groups or organizations to be considered for the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 (TPDA 2024):

1. Number of Awards

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand Foundation will grant up to 1-3 awards for the year 2024 to selected Thai or foreign individuals, groups and organizations.

2. Who can submit the nominations

2.1 Individuals, groups or organizations can nominate oneselves or other people, groups or organizations. In the case of nominating others, the consent of the candidate is required. 

2.2 Royal Thai Embassies, Permanent Missions of Thailand and Royal Thai Consulates-General are entitled to present candidates.

3. Award details

3.1 The awardee’s name will be inscribed on the “Goodwill” trophy, which will be permanently displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Ayudhya Road.

3.2 A replica trophy with the inscription of the awardee’s name will be presented to the awardee.

3.3 The awardee’s name will also be inscribed on the “Wall of Fame” which will be displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Ayudhya Road.

3.4 A Certificate of Honor will be presented to the awardee.

3.5 Prize money totaling 300,000 Baht/prize will be given to the awardee.

4. Selection Process

The Sub-committee on the selection of candidates for the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 is appointed by the Board of the Thailand Foundation. The Sub-committee consists of 10 representatives, including high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Secretary-General of the Thailand Foundation, as well as representatives from academia, civil society, and the media. They will convene to shortlist the nominated candidates before submitting them to the Board of the Thailand Foundation for a final decision.

5. Timeline

5.1 The nomination period runs for three months – from 16 May to 15 August 2024.

5.2 The Sub-committee on the selection of candidates for the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 will convene to screen the qualifications of the application and shortlist the candidates in September 2024 and present them to the Board of the Thailand Foundation.

5.3 The Board of the Thailand Foundation will convene to make a final decision on the recipients of the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 and announce the results by September 2024.

5.4 The award presentation ceremony will be held in November or December 2024 as the awardee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Thailand Foundation deem appropriate. 

6. Disclaimer

6.1 The Thailand Foundation reserves the right to make the final decision on the recipients of the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 and will announce only the awardee(s)’s names.

6.2 If the awardee engages in misconduct afterward, the Thailand Foundation reserves the right to revoke their status as a recipient of the Public Diplomacy Award and remove the name from the Goodwill Trophy and the Wall of Fame.

7. The Recepients of the Public Diplomacy Awards

In 2022, the first the Public Diplomacy Award was presented to Dr. Soontorn Antarasena, a senior otolaryngologist from Rajavithi Hospital who founded a group of volunteer doctors that help treat ear diseases patients. For more than 30 years, Dr. Soontorn and his team have traveled around the world, helping more than 70,000 patients across 10 countries including Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, India, Kenya, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Timor-Leste.

In 2023, the award was presented to Ms. Moriya Jutanugarn (Pro Mo) and Ms. Ariya Jutanugarn (Pro May), Thai professional golfers for their outstanding achievements in the international women’s golf. Their successes have inspired new generations of professional golfers to pursue their dreams and become champions. Moreover, the two golfers have paid back their success to the society through establishing the Moriya and Ariya Foundation to help underprivileged children, elderlies, and those in need, as well as through raising environmental awareness.

The nomination form for the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2024 and  its details can be accessed below. For further inquiries, please contact the Thailand Foundation tel. 02-203-5000 ext. 11030-1 or via email: [email protected].