On 5 August 2025, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, was invited to the Hi-Tea Kebaya event hosted by the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education of Malaysia. The event, presided over by H.E. Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education of Malaysia, took place at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex and brought together representatives from Foreign Embassies, as well as relevant Public and Private Sector Stakeholders. On this occasion, the Ambassador also met with Dato’ Ts. Dr. Hj. Aminuddin bin Hassim, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education of Malaysia.
In her remarks, Minister Fadhlina highlighted the objective of the event aiming to celebrate the inscription of the “Kebaya” as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This recognition is the result of a joint nomination by five Southeast Asian countries, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, reflecting the beauty of this traditional attire, its unique identity, and the rich cultural diversity of the ASEAN region. She also praised the Kebaya as a “living heritage” and a “symbol of timeless beauty”, carrying values across generations through exquisite craftsmanship. The Minister commended the spirit of regional cooperation that led to its inscription on 4 December 2024. The event featured an exhibition of Kebaya attire, accessories, and handbags; a fashion show; cultural performances; and an afternoon tea reception for the guests.
During the event, the Ambassador discussed with the Malaysian Minister of Education bilateral cooperation in the field of education, as well as the ALC Fashion Gala: “Threading ASEAN Unity through Kebaya & Sarong”, which the Ambassador, in her capacity as President of the ASEAN Ladies’ Circle (ALC) in Kuala Lumpur for
2024 - 2025, co-organised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) of Malaysia.