On 28 August 2017, General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister, along with executives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture attended the “Khon Epic Masked Performance in Celebration of the 7^th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand” at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia. It was the collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of Information, Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra, and Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney). This event also commemorates the auspicious occasion of the 65^th anniversary of Thailand – Australia diplomatic relations. On this occasion, Mr. Chirachai Punkrasin, Ambassador of Thailand to Australia, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Royal Thai Government.

            Having the Khon performance staged at the Sydney Opera House, a state-of-the-art theatre and global landmark, was a great opportunity to showcase Thailand’s most refined and highest form of traditional performing art to the world stage. In addition to the full-cast Khon Performance, the event also consisted of an exhibition to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s instrumental role in revitalising the art of Khon, which was beginning to fade from the Thai people’s consciousness. Under the auspices of the SUPPORT Foundation, which Her Majesty graciously established since 1976, various fields of fine arts and crafts related to Khon including costume, jewellery, and mask making have been revitalised, thus, bringing the performing art of Khon back to life. This revival has provided people in disadvantaged communities, as well as a new generation of artisans, an opportunity to train and develop their skills in order to earn additional income, while also preserving and promoting Thai cultural heritage.

              The Khon Epic Masked Performance and Exhibition received an overwhelmingly positive response, attracting a full house of almost 2,000 spectators. Among the spectators are representatives of the Australian Federal and State governments, such as Colonel Michael Miller, Official Secretary to the Governor of New South Wales, and Councillor Robert Kok, Representative of Lord Mayor of Sydney, private sector, the media, members of the diplomatic and consular corps as well as the Australian general public and Thai communities in Australia.