At a landmark event launching Thailand’s 2026 tourism campaign, global icon Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban made a striking appearance in a custom-created golden Thai silk gown that embodies both cultural pride and haute couture craftsmanship.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) presented Lisa as the official Amazing Thailand Ambassador on January 28 at Wat Arun in Bangkok, where the fashion moment underscored the fusion of traditional Thai artistry with international style.

The gown, designed by the French luxury fashion house Balmain, draws direct inspiration from an archival evening dress crafted by Pierre Balmain in 1960 for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother of Thailand.

Balmain’s recent presentation emphasised the historical relationship between the Maison and the Thai Royal Family — a partnership that shaped much of the Queen Mother’s ceremonial wardrobe over decades and now resonates in this contemporary reinterpretation.

The couture piece integrates traditional Thai textiles, including silk and gold brocade, with Balmain’s signature savoir-faire, creating a silhouette that pays homage to heritage while reflecting modern elegance.

The choice of Bangkok’s Temple of Dawn as the venue further accentuated the symbolic interplay of Thai artistic legacy and global cultural dialogue.

The debut of the garment coincides with the 170th anniversary of Thai-French diplomatic relations, highlighting fashion as a bridge between nations.

Lisa’s role as a global cultural ambassador, amplified by her substantial international following, aims to bring renewed attention to Thailand’s rich history and vibrant identity.

The event and the garment together signal a deeper narrative in which fashion, history and national image reinforce each other for global audiences.