On 20 October 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand Foundation hosted the inaugural Presentation of Public Diplomacy Award 2022 Ceremony at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered the welcoming remarks followed by the award presentation by H.E. Mr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Chairman of Thailand Foundation. The event was witnessed by members of diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations, government and private sector, civil society, and media.

The “Public Diplomacy Award” was established from the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand Foundation, aimed at recognizing and honouring individuals, groups, or organizations whose charitable works significantly helped to promote a better understanding of Thailand, the Thai people, and Thainess in the global arena - including in the fields of humanitarian work, culture, sports and innovation. It was also established to support award recipients to further these efforts and to enable them to become role models to inspire others to do the same, recognizing that the general public and private individuals can also contribute to the advancement of Thailand’s public diplomacy.

Thailand’s inaugural Public Diplomacy Award was presented to Dr. Soontorn Antarasena, a senior otolaryngologist who formed the volunteer Ear Surgery Mobile Unit which provided free treatments to the patients in neighboring countries. For more than 30 years, Dr. Soontorn and his team have travelled to treat more than 70,000 underprivileged patients in over 80 cities across 10 countries including Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, India, Kenya, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Timor-Leste. Moreover, Dr. Soontorn has trained a number of medical personnels both at home and abroad.

The prize of Public Diplomacy Award 2022 consists of a “Goodwill” trophy and certificate together with prize money totaling 500,000 baht as a token of support for the award recipient to continue with his endeavors. The award recipient’s name will also be etched onto the “Goodwill” trophy and the “Wall of Fame,” which will be a permanent exhibit here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2023, Dr. Soontorn would lead his team to provide medical services in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Lao PDR.