On 7 August 2023, the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organised ASEAN Day 2023 Celebration, commemorating the 56^th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN at Vithes Samosorn, with approximately 250 attendants.

       H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand presided over the ASEAN Quiz 2023. In his opening remarks, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized on youth as the agents of change in driving forward the future of ASEAN. Among 18 participating schools, Rajinibon School was awarded the first prize with 10,000.- Baht grant. Saint Gabriel’s College was awarded the second prize with 7,000.- Baht grant, and Chitralada School was awarded the third prize with 5,000.- Baht grant. The Ministry also organised recreational activities related to ASEAN and English language learning game for the 80 students who attended the event.

       Prior to the ASEAN Quiz, the Ministry organised an ASEAN Flag Hoisting ceremony, with Mrs. Pornpimol Kanchanalak, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presiding over the ceremony. Attending the ceremony were approximately 30 ASEAN and Timor-Leste Ambassadors or their representatives as well as the Ministry’s high level officials. The procession of ASEAN flag hoisting was proceeded by students from Phratumnuk Suankularb School.

       The event concluded with an ASEAN Seminar titled “Thai Foreign Policy at the Crossroads: ASEAN’s Perspective” organised in a hybrid format. Contributing panelists include (1) Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, Editor and Senior Journalist (2) Associate Professor Dr. Jittipat Poonkham, Associate Dean for International Affairs, Faculty of Political Sciences, Thammasat University (3) Dr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister and (4) Associate Professor Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation; with Ms. Usana Berananda, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs as a moderator.

       The Department of ASEAN Affairs, in its capacity as the National ASEAN Secretariat, attaches great importance to the ASEAN Day celebration as an event to raise awareness on ASEAN among general public, especially the youth. It is also hoped that through this activity, young generation would be a driving force supporting ASEAN Community and our ASEAN region.