Choe Choong-dae | My particular interest in Thailand stems from fond memories of two remarkable Thai figures: Major General Chote Klongvicha, former Thai Ambassador to Korea, and Colonel Akaphol Somloop, a former Thai Defense Attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul who later became Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Both men were stationed in Korea from the late 1960s to the early 1970s and were close friends of my family. I was just entering university when we met. Through their lives and service, I came to understand diplomacy not merely as statecraft, but as a profoundly human endeavor grounded in trust, respect, and lasting personal ties.
My long-standing interest in Thailand led to an engaging conversation with Ms. Kanchana Phattarawongsiri of Bangkok at the opening ceremony for the Thai Cultural Festival “Sawasdee.” The ceremony was held on October 4, 2024, at the Hyatt Hotel in Seoul. She attended with her daughter, Gemma Hutchinson, alongside Thai artists Auto & Grain. The performances provided a vivid illustration of Thailand’s vibrant contemporary culture.
During festival events at Cheonggyecheon in central Seoul, Gemma enthusiastically participated in dancing, singing, and marching—her youthful energy warmly resonating with the audience. Through these moments, it became clear that both mother and daughter hold a deep admiration for Korea, embracing not only its modern cultural dynamism but also its rich historical legacy.
This personal encounter reflects broader currents shaping Korea–Thailand relations. The two countries’ deep-rooted ties sustain and revitalize bilateral cooperation. The designation of 2023–2024 as the “Korea–Thailand Mutual Visit Year” aimed to strengthen tourism and cultural exchanges. The Sawasdee Thai Festival 2024: T-Pop Story, held at Cheonggyecheon on October 5–6, 2024, commemorated the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations by bringing Thai music, dance, cuisine, parades, and other cultural expressions directly to Koreans. Last September, the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025 marked its 10th anniversary under the theme “Discover Thailand,” further highlighting Thailand’s cultural warmth in central Seoul.
These encounters reflect a broader sentiment found across generations in Thailand. Many Thais—young and old alike—hold Koreans in high esteem, particularly for their achievements in music, dance, and popular culture. Korean artists are widely admired as cultural role models, recognized for their discipline, creativity, and global influence.
In this same spirit of cultural exchange, Ms. Kanchana recently revisited Korea with her daughter to attend a short-term dance and singing camp from January 10 to 18. The program included an audition, offering Gemma firsthand exposure to Korea’s highly professional entertainment environment. Gemma, a 13-year-old eighth grader back in Bangkok, has pursued her interests in music and dance since age ten through performances in Thailand and abroad.
One of the most meaningful moments of this journey was the opportunity for Gemma and her mother to pay a courtesy call on H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Thai Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul on January 16. The warmth, encouragement, and support they received left a lasting impression. On January 17, Gemma participated confidently in a singing and dancing audition. While outcomes in the entertainment industry often depend on many factors beyond technical skill alone, the experience itself proved invaluable.
Gemma said that she found performing at Thai–Korea cultural events, like the 2024 T-Pop Concert and choir performances with the royal orchestra, joyful. She added that sharing happiness through music brought fulfillment not only to the audience, but also to herself and her mother. Her artistic interests span singing, dancing, modeling, acting, emceeing, music videos, fashion shows, as well as piano and guitar performance.
As Korea and Thailand continue to strengthen cooperation in culture, economy, and diplomacy, it is worth remembering the human stories that quietly sustain this friendship. In Gemma’s young voice echoing through Seoul, the spirit of Thailand endures—gracefully linking tradition and modernity, and nurturing friendship across generations. It is my hope that Gemma’s passion and dedication will one day find expression on the global stage of K-pop and dance, sharing creativity that transcends borders.
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Choe Chong-dae is a prominent columnist and a longstanding member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea. An enthusiast of international cultural and historical affairs, he has contributed regular opinion columns to The Korea Times for more than four decades. He also serves on the editorial board of the Newsletter of the Korea-America Association and is the founding director of the Korea–Swedish Association. In 2010, he was awarded Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the country’s most prestigious honors.
