“Monchhichi,” Japan’s friendship ambassador character, visited Government House to meet Sopon, joining hands with the government to promote tourism, aiming to attract visitors and reinforce Bangkok as a landmark for New Year celebrations.
At 09:30 on 25 Nov 2025 GMT+7 at Government House, Ms. Woralak Tulaporn, Chief Executive Officer of the Marketing Group at The Mall Group Co., Ltd., along with executives from The Mall Group, led “Monchhichi (Monchhichi)” the globally famous fluffy monkey character and Japan’s friendship ambassador, to meet Deputy Prime Minister Sopon Sarum in Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time, coinciding with the upcoming New Year festival as a symbol of happiness, helping to brighten the celebrations for Thai people.
Deputy Prime Minister Sopon posed for commemorative photos and offered good wishes to “Monchhichi” hoping it would help attract a large number of tourists to Thailand during the New Year festival.
Ms. Woralak stated that Monchhichi’s presence this year not only brings joy during the New Year festival but also signifies elevating Bangkok and Thailand’s image as a regional creative event hub. This supports tourism promotion policies and stimulates the year-end economy. As a private sector, we strive to collaborate with economic partners and the government, proudly presenting a new dimension of celebration that blends Japanese charm with Thai warmth perfectly, to build confidence and invite tourists worldwide to experience it together.
Monchhichi, the beloved fluffy monkey character cherished worldwide for over 50 years, will contribute to the New Year celebrations in Bangkok through Monchhichi Christmas themes, a premium collection, a Thailand Exclusive Collection featuring Muay Thai baby elephant outfits and Thai school uniforms for boys and girls, as well as Thailand’s first Monchhichi POP-UP STORE and Japanese-designed Monchhichi gift boxes at Emporium Department Store. The highlight will be the opening of Monchhichi Christmas Town, an international Christmas festival held for the first time in Southeast Asia at The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi from 4 Dec 2025 to 4 Jan 2026. The Mall Group aims to add festive color to Thailand’s year-end season and reinforce Bangkok’s status as a premier tourist city during the season of celebration, offering content never before experienced worldwide.