On 13 March 2025, Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the U.S., hosted a reception to welcome and expand networks with Sister Cities International (SCI) at the Thai Residence. This event was organised in honor of SCI members and executives who travel to Washington D.C. from various states to attend the annual conference. Attendees included representatives from both U.S. public and private sectors comprising staffs of the Office of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Office of the Mayor of Washington D.C., U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, Friends of Thailand as well as members of the media.

 

On this occasion, the Ambassador highlighted the close and long-standing friendship between Thailand and the U.S., fortified by shared values in many areas, including strong people-to-people ties, which align with SCI's core mission of conducting Citizens Diplomacy. This serves as a solid foundation for advancing bilateral relations between the U.S. and foreign countries. The Ambassador also commended SCI for its continued efforts in advancing this goal through various initiatives.

 

Thailand and the U.S. currently share 8 pairs of sister cities. The most recent one was established in December 2023 between Chiang Mai and Austin, Texas. The first pair of Thai-U.S. sister cities is Bangkok and Washington, D.C., which was established in 1962.

 

Sister Cities International is a non-profit organization founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote relationships between communities in the U.S. and communities in other countries. Currently, SCI has a network of 403 sister cities in the U.S. and more than 1,800 in 140 countries worldwide, covering cooperation in culture, education, trade, and economic development.

 

This event reflects Thailand's commitment of being close friend, strategic partner and ally” of the U.S. in all dimensions, as well as its readiness to welcome and support the U.S.' presence in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.