Gifts of respect and friendship
Official gifts exchanged between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Thailand at significant moments over the past 200 years go on display next month in an exhibition organised by the US Embassy in Thailand at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
The exhibition marks 200 years of US-Thai friendship.
“The exhibit starts with the initial correspondence between US President James Monroe and King Phra Phutthaloetla (Rama II) in 1818, which laid the foundation for a vital and enduring alliance,” explains Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand,
“The historical relationship between the two countries carries added significance given last December the number of Americans visiting Thailand annually hit the one million mark. This set a record for Thailand’s number one source market from the greater Americas’ region.
“We think both American and Thai tourists will find the exhibit fascinating as much of it will be shown to the public for the first time.”
The exhibition will include more than 50 items in the form of traditional displays, interactive multimedia, and an educational space for lectures and youth outreach.
Only a few of the gifts have ever been displayed and include contributions from the Smithsonian Institute, the US National Archives, the US Library of Congress, 10 American presidential libraries, the King Prajadhipok Institute, and the National Museum Bangkok, under the auspices of the Thai Fine Arts Department.
The exhibition will run from March 20 to June 30. Entry fee is Bt150 for adults and Bt50 for students with ID.
The US Embassy and Consulate in Thailand will host an opening gala dinner on March 23, at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel.
Learn more at the US Embassy’s website and social media platforms using the hashtag: #greatandgoodfriends
