Bangkok, 08 February, 2018 – The United States Embassy and Consulate in Thailand is organising an exhibition at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok displaying official gifts exchanged between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Thailand at significant moments over the past 200 years.

The ‘Great and Good Friends’ exhibit will be a marquee event to celebrate 200 years of U.S.-Thai friendship with the central theme highlighting stories of friendship between both countries.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, “The exhibit starts with the initial correspondence between U.S. President James Monroe and King Phra Phutthaloetla (Rama II) in 1818, which laid the foundation for a vital and enduring alliance. 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 ‘Great and Good Friends’ exhibit will include over 50 items in the form of traditional displays, interactive multi-media, 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 U.S. National Archives, the U.S. 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 20 March to 30 June, 2018, between 10:00 – 17:30 Hrs. daily. Entry fee is 150 Baht for adults and 50 Baht for students with ID.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand will host an opening gala dinner on Friday, 23 March, at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel with complete details available on the U.S. Embassy’s website and social media platforms using the hashtag: #greatandgoodfriends