On 29 July 2018, Consul-General MuninPaniswasdi attendedand delivered the opening remarks at the 46th Japan Nationwide Kimono Dressing Contest of Nihonwasougakuenheld at Hotel New Otani Osaka. Ms. Naomi Asano, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Ms. SaratwadeeAsasupakit, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Osaka Office,wereamong about 300 guests who attended the event.
    The Consul-General commended Madam Hiroko Matsushima, President of Nihonwasougakuen, on her dedication to the preservation of ancient Japanese cultural heritage of kimono as well as organizing cultural exchange activities to strengthen ties offriendship between Thailand-Japan for several years.The Consul-General also expressed his condolences and sympathy to all those affected by the recent multiple natural disasters in Japan including the floods and landslides in western Japan and the Osaka earthquake. He also thanked Japan and Japanese people for assistance and supportfor the successful rescue operation to extractthe 12 Thai boys and their football coach trapped in ThamLuang Cave in northern Thailand.
    The event was an opportunity for Thailand-Japan cultural exchange as a group of Thai youths was invited to perform Thai dances during the opening ceremony with generous supportfrom Mr. SomchaiPahulrat, President of Thai-Japanese Association (Kimono) and Ms. BhusdeeNavavichit, President of the Old Japan Students's association of the Kingdom of Thailand.