Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand Foundation have officially opened nominations for the Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award 2025 (TPDA2025), continuing their mission to spotlight individuals and organizations — both within the kingdom and abroad — who have played a vital role in elevating the nation’s image on the global stage.
Fostering people-to-people connections
Now in its fourth year, Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award serves as a beacon for Thailand’s growing soft power strategy, which emphasizes cultural diplomacy, global engagement, and national branding through “Thainess” — a term that embodies the Kingdom’s values, traditions, and creative potential.
“This award not only honors those who have built a strong reputation for Thailand, but also aims at inspiring everyone to realise their own potential in making Thailand known on the global stage,” said Nikorndej Balankura, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who chaired a press conference inviting nominations for TPDA2025.
Tayud Mongkolrat, Chief Editor of Thailand Foundation, explained, “[Public diplomacy] is aimed towards people-to-people connections, which leads to the fostering of synergy, goodwill, and friendship… You can think of it as people’s diplomacy, which complements the conventional diplomatic efforts, and it is exactly why the Thailand Foundation was founded.”
TPDA2025 nomination details
Eligible nominees include individuals, groups, or organizations engaged in public interest, humanitarian service, culture, sports, or innovation. The 2025 award recipients will be announced by September, with a formal ceremony to follow later this year.
Each honoree is presented with a “Goodwill” trophy, a Certificate of Honor, and a THB300,000 prize. Their names are also etched on both the trophy and the permanent “Wall of Fame” at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Bangkok.
Nominations for TPDA 2025 will be accepted from April 23rd to July 25th, 2025. Further details and submission forms are available here.
For more information, contact the Thailand Foundation at Tel. 02-203-5000 ext. 11031 or via email: info@newweb.unit.academy.
A diverse pantheon of awardees
Since its inception in 2022, Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award has honored a diverse array of recipients. The inaugural winner, Dr. Soontorn Antarasena, was recognized for his volunteer medical work treating over 70,000 ear disease patients across 10 countries, building lasting cross-border relationships through compassion and care.
In 2023, Thai pro golf sisters Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn, better known as Pro Mo and Pro May, respectively, were awarded for their achievements on the international stage, their role in inspiring a new generation of Thai athletes, and for promoting Thailand as a premier global golf destination.
The 2024 ceremony celebrated different aspects of cultural diplomacy. Honorees included:
- Phra Ajahn Jayasaro, representing Thailand’s spiritual essence, a British-born monk who has become a global symbol of Thai Theravada Buddhism. His teachings — published in over 100 books and streamed to millions — have drawn international seekers to Thailand and promoted Thai spirituality.
- The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage, representing Thai academia, has a 120-year legacy of cultural conservation and academic exchange that has helped foster a global understanding of Thai humanities.
- Somtow Sucharitkul, representing Thai arts, is a celebrated composer, novelist, and conductor, whose decades of work in the international arts scene have elevated the presence of Thai creativity abroad.
Next-generation cultural ambassadors
“We want the new generation to understand that contributing to the nation, the Thai people, and Thai identity is not solely the duty of officials or diplomats,” noted Tharit Charungvat, Secretary-General of the Thailand Foundation, who also joined the announcement press conference.
As Thailand continues to engage the world not only through policy but also through people and culture, the TPDA will continue to send a message of how diplomacy through friendship, culture, and creativity can forge enduring bonds across borders.
Teerin Julsawad