On 26 June 2025, H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Ambassador of Thailand to Belgium, paid a call on Mr. Philippe Close, Mayor of the City of Brussels. The meeting was attended by Ms. Siribhusaya Ungphakorn, Minister (Commerce), Ms. Patcharamon Siriwatana, Minister Counsellor, and Mr. Thananchon Rojkittkhun, Minister Counsellor (Commerce).
Both sides discussed possible collaboration to enhance people-to-people contact. The City of Brussels, which is known for the numerous diplomatic presence in the city as well as its cultural diversity, is open for art and cultural activities and festivities. Notably, the Board of Mayor and Aldermann of the City of Brussels agreed to accept Thailand’s gift to the Manneken Pis of a Thai costume “Spot the Rabbit, Pick the Flower”, an initiative by the Department of Intellectual Property, the Ministry of Commerce. The costume is designed by Mr. Shone Puipia, a Thai designer and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, and made from Thai silk and Thai traditional fabric which is of Thailand’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
For those interested, please join the celebration of the Manneken Pis in Thailand's “Spot the Rabbit, Pick the Flower” costume on 7 July 2025, 11.55-18.00 hrs. (Address: The Manneken Pis, Rue du Chêne, 1000 Brussels). A procession from Grand Place to the Manneken Pis will begin at 11.45 hrs with the musical band from the Belgian Ministry of Finance performing Thai and Belgian national anthems and Maharoek music. The participants will subsequently altogether reveal the Manneken Pis’ costume “Spot the Rabbit, Pick the Flowers.” Come join us!