MAKATI CITY – The Royal Thai Embassy in Manila hosted a formal reception on 5 December 2025 at Dusit Thani Manila to commemorate three momentous events: the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Thailand’s Father’s Day.
The gathering drew approximately 700 guests, including representatives from the Philippine government’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches – among them Hon. Rolando U. Toledo, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Jeremy Barns- Director General of National Museum of the Philippines. Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic and consular corps: including Brunei Darussalam Ambassador Megawati Manan; Kuwaiti Ambassador Meshari Yousef Muhammad Alnibari; Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino; Ambassador Nader Zaki and Spouse Nancy Ramzy; Columbia Ambassador Edgar Rodrigo Rojas Garavito; Guinea Consul Marinela Gonzales; Arnell Ilas – Cyprus Diplomatic Staff; heads of international organizations Asian Development Bank Director General Southeast Asia Department Winfried Wicklein; , business leaders: Andre Eli Mejia -Brand Ambassador of Booze; , some press representative including Muslim Journalist Abdul Malik Bin Ismail ( Michael Balaguer) of Diaryong Tagalog with Maryam Jannah Binti Ismail ( Mary Jane ” Mj” Olvina- Balaguer) of DZMJ Online and media representatives, the Philippine-Thai Cultural Organization (PTCO), Friends of Thailand, and members of the Thai community in the Philippines.
During the official ceremony, the Embassy led a moment of silence in remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, followed by the screening of a royal tribute video titled “Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and Thailand’s Foreign Relations.”
H.E. Mrs. Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines, delivered keynote remarks honoring His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s lifelong dedication to improving the Thai people’s well-being through Royal Development Projects. She also noted the significance of World Soil Day, an initiative His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn continues to advance in his father’s footsteps.
The Ambassador highlighted the 76 years of cordial diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines, and emphasized the commitment to building an even stronger partnership across all sectors – particularly as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chairship in 2026. She affirmed that Thailand fully supports and stands ready to work closely with the Philippines to strengthen regional security and collective prosperity.
Hon. Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Guest of Honor, delivered remarks paying tribute to both His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fostering deeper ties and cooperation with Thailand for the mutual benefit of both nations.
The Royal Thai Embassy expressed sincere appreciation for the support of Team Thailand in the Philippines, encompassing both government and private sectors. Notably, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) curated cultural highlights including a performance of the “Khon” Masked Dance Drama and a display of Eight Styles of Thai National Dress, presented as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
