On 28 February 2018, Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Glyn T. Davies, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Thailand, jointly witnessed the arrival of a significant collection of 74 artifacts and documents of great historical value from the Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and U.S. National Archives to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. These rare and meaningful items, which testify to the long history of relationship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America, will be displayed at the “Great and Good Friends” exhibition. 

          The Embassy of the United States initiated the “Great and Good Friends” exhibition to commemorate 200 years since the first recorded contact between the Royal Court of Siam and the Presidency of the United States of America. The exhibition will last from 21 March - 30 June 2018 at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in the Grand Palace.

          The valuable objects to be showcased in the exhibition were gifts of friendship presented by Thai monarchs to American Presidents during the Chakri Dynasty. The exhibition will include a number of rare historical documents never before displayed to the public and several exquisite objet d’art, which have stood the test of time and symbolize the precious, long-standing relationship between the two countries.

          The exchange of gifts reflected the Thai monarchs’ royal vision and contribution to the conduct of Thailand’s foreign affairs. Subsequently, the ties between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America have grown from strength to strength since the early days of the Rattanakosin era up until the present. This year also marks the 185th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the United States, whereby Siam, or Thailand, became the first country in Asia to establish such a relationship with the United States. 

          The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given its full support to the Embassy of the United States of America as well as facilitated their collaboration with the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles and other relevant Thai agencies to ensure the success of the “Great and Good Friends” exhibition. This meaningful event is expected to help promote greater awareness of the long-standing ties and friendship between Thailand and the United States, which serves as the very foundation for even closer cooperation between the two nations and their peoples.