On 30th April 2014, Mr. Sek Wannamethee, Director-General of the Department of Information and Ministry’s Spokesperson, gave an interview to the press on the Thai Cultural Troupe in Malaysia.

Ministry’s Spokesperson said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Thailand Foundation, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang, organized Thai Cultural Troupe from the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute led by Mr. Saroj Chavanaviraj, Secretary-General of the Thailand Foundation, to perform a Thai traditional dance in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Kedah during 7-13 April 2014 in 3 events as follows:  

1. Kuala Lumpur: on 8 April 2014, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur hosted an "Amazing Thai Evening: Cultural and Halal Showcase" at the Grand Ballroom, the Westin Kuala Lumpur. The event was presided over by H.E. Mr. Krit Kraichitti, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, and attended by some 400 people, including YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia as Guest of Honour, H.E. Mr. Saroj Chavanaviraj, Secretary-General of the Thailand Foundation, and Dr. Atchaka Sibunruang, Director-General for Industrial Promotion of Thailand's Ministry of Industry, as well as the Diplomatic Corps, prominent businesspersons, high-level Government officials and Friends of Thailand. 

After the show, all guests were invited to attend the reception and exhibition of Thai halal products through food and beverage stalls and exhibition by CP (Malaysia), F&N and Thai halal businesses attending the 11th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2014), supported by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Food Insititute, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion.

2. Penang: on 10 April 2014 a performance of Thai traditional dance was organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang with support from the Penang State Tourism Development and Cuture Department in the event "Amazing Thai Cultural Evening" at Dewan Sri Pinang Auditorium. The event was officiated by Mrs.Srirat Vathesatogkit, Consul-General of Thailand to Penang, together with Mr. Danny Law Heng Kiang, State Minister for Tourism Development and attended by 500 guests, including, the diplomatic Corps, high dignitaries from Government and private sector, media, Thai community in Penang.  The performance was welcomed by the audiences especially the final show “light and shadow”.

3. Kedah:  on 12 April 2014 Thai traditional dance was organized as part of Songkran Festival of Kedah State on outdoor stage of Wat Visutthipradittharam. This event was attended by 400 participants from the Siamese Community and family including Dato Boon Som, State Senator (also as a representative for Malaysia-Thai Community) and Mr.Moha Rawi Abdul Hamid, State Tourism Committee Chairman as Guests of Honour. The opening remark was given by the State Senator and State Tourism Committee Chairman together with Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia and Consul-General of Thailand to Penang.

The show was overwhelming welcomed by the Community and at the end the audience was also invited to join Thai folk dance (Ram Wong).

4. In addition, the troupe visited Cultural Centre of University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and was briefed about academic and activities information. Later on the troupe was also lectured on the history of the Thailand and Penang relations at Penang Heritage Trust and had a site visit on the conservation of World Heritage, as well as the visit of the historical sites and tourism of Malaysia, including the Museum of Overseas Chinese in Penang (Perankan Mansion), Kedah State Museum and Kedah Paddy Museum, etc. These study visits could provide more knowledge on the history of Malaysia and the history of Thailand and Malaysia’s relations even more.

The Thai traditional dance promotion in Malaysia was very successful, in particular on the use of culture as a tool of strengthening and enhancing relationships and cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia as well as the closeness and mutual understanding between peoples of the two countries, especially in the northern states of the country which have many Malaysian Siamese descent. This success also could pave the way to improve the relations between Thailand – Malaysia in other fields.