On 22 July 2026, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, hosted a reception at the Thai Ambassador’s Residence in honor of the members and representatives of Sister Cities International (SCI). The reception brought together SCI Board members, representatives of sister-city organizations from various U.S. states, Friends of Thailand and other distinguished guests in celebration of the 70^th anniversary of SCI. 

On this occasion, the Ambassador commended SCI for its longstanding contributions to strengthening people-to-people relations and fostering mutual understanding among communities around the world. He highlighted the close and enduring friendship between Thailand and the United States of 193 years, underscoring the important roles of cultural exchanges, educational cooperation and local-level engagements in further strengthening bilateral relations. The Ambassador also emphasized that sister-city partnerships provide a valuable platform for communities to build lasting connections and create opportunities for cooperation in areas, such as culture, education, tourism, trade and economic development.

The reception provided an opportunity to showcase Thailand’s rich cultural heritage through  cultural performances and music. Cultural performances were presented by a group of Thai teachers from Wat Thai Washington, D.C., accompanied by traditional Thai music throughout the reception, and served as an effective means of promoting greater appreciation and understanding of Thai culture while enhancing Thailand’s visibility among U.S. communities, local leaders and international partners.

The reception also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties with the U.S. and further advancing subnational and community-level networks between the two countries. It provided a valuable opportunity for the Royal Thai Embassy to engage directly with SCI leadership and representatives from sister-city communities across the U.S., laying the groundwork for further cooperation and greater public diplomacy outreach in the years ahead.

Sister Cities International (SCI) was established in 1956 following President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s initiative to promote citizen diplomacy and international understanding. Its 70^th anniversary in 2026 marked decades of connecting communities in the U.S. with partners around the world through cultural, educational, economic and other forms of exchanges.

Thailand and the United States currently have eight sister-city partnerships, reflecting the long-standing and broad-based ties between the two countries. The first Thai-U.S. sister-city relationship was established between Bangkok and Washington, D.C., in 1962 while the most recent partnership was established between Chiang Mai and Austin, Texas, in 2023. These partnerships demonstrate the important role of local communities in complementing government-to-government relations and creating tangible opportunities for people-to-people engagements.