On October 17, 2026, Miss Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand in New York, attended BRIC JazzFest 2026 at BRIC House in Brooklyn, New York City. The festival provides a platform for artists from various countries to showcase their talents and express their distinct musical identities.

The event featured Salin (Miss Salin Cheewapansri ), a Thai-born artist based in Canada who has established herself as a drummer, composer, and recording artist. Her music brings Thai musical heritage, particularly the musical traditions of Isan, together with instruments such as the khaen (bamboo mouth organ), phin (Isan lute), and ranat (Thai xylophone). By blending these traditional elements with jazz, Afro-jazz, funk, and influences from diverse musical cultures, Salin has developed a distinctive sound known as “Afro Thai Funk / Afro Isan Soul.”

The Consul-General’s participation in the event was intended to show support for and recognize the contributions of Thai artists in promoting and sharing Thailand’s cultural heritage through contemporary music. It also aimed to foster opportunities for cultural exchange between Thailand and the international community, helping to raise awareness of Thai culture and make it more accessible to audiences worldwide.

Salin’s latest album, Rammana, was nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 2026 JUNO Awards, highlighting her innovative approach to combining traditional Thai instruments and folk melodies with contemporary music. She has also performed at leading festivals and music venues across North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, New York City’s Winter JazzFest, Ronnie Scott’s in London, and Cotton Club in Tokyo. In Thailand, she has presented a full-length performance as part of HYHBKK Live! with Salin. In 2025, she was also selected as one of CBC’s Revelation Canada artists.