On 28 November 2018, Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, the Thai Ambassador to the UK, led Team Thailand and spouses to participate in the inaugural ASEAN Societies Reception at the Bright Courtyard Club. The event was spearheaded by Steve Buckley, Chairman of The Anglo-Thai Society and Mei Sim Lai, Chairman of The British Malaysian Society, in collaboration with other Anglo-ASEAN societies in the UK.

In the opening remarks, the Ambassador reiterated Thailand’s readiness to assume ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019 with an aim to promote the development of a people-centred ASEAN community, leaving no one behind, looking and preparing for the future, especially post 2025. Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2019 will focus on 3 main strategic drivers, namely connectivity and sustainability in all dimensions and preparedness for the future, under the theme - “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”,

The Ambassador stressed the importance of the cooperation between the ASEAN Embassies and the ASEAN Societies in the UK in order to enhance awareness and increase ASEAN’s visibility in all dimensions, particularly trade and investment, tourism and culture. Among the 350 guests that attended the event were  the ASEAN diplomatic corps, ASEAN communities, British and members of the Friends of ASEAN community in the UK.