On 6 November 2025, H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the ROK, held discussions with leaders of the Thai community in various cities and provinces on the establishment of the Thai Cultural Council in the ROK. The objectives of this initiative are to:
1. Preserve and promote Thai culture in the ROK, particularly among the youth and Thais born and raised in Korea;
2. Promote Thai customs, traditions, and culture within the ROK
3. Collaborate with the Royal Thai Embassy, Thai-Korean government agencies, and private sectors from Thailand, ROK, and other countries in promoting and exchanging Thai culture in the ROK.
The meeting agreed that the Thai Cultural Council in the ROK will focus on the following cultural areas: performing arts, sports and traditional games, language, cuisine, music, and handicrafts.
The process for establishing a Thai Cultural Council abroad, as stipulated by the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, includes the following steps:
1. Thai communities must first be registered as a Thai Cultural Network in the ROK. The initial regional representatives for registration are as follows:
- Seoul: Ms. Sherilyn Eun
- Gimhae: Ms. Jirunchana Kitjaroen
- Ulsan: Ms. Wayuree Samthong
- Gyeongju: Mr. Mongkol Rakmanee
Professor Kewalin Simuang will serve as an advisor
2. Once the registration is officially recognized for at least 30 days, the cultural network organizations may jointly proceed to establish the Thai Cultural Council in the ROK.
Ambassador Tanee expressed his support and readiness to assist in the official registration with the Ministry of Culture of Thailand and the registration in the Republic of Korea for the establishment of the Thai Cultural Council in the ROK. He emphasized that this initiative will strengthen the Thai cultural network and serve as a central platform for coordination and cultural cooperation in the future.