On 24 June 2025, Ms. Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya, Deputy Chief of Mission, welcomed and held a discussion with the six American high school students during their visit to the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. prior to their departure to Thailand. The students will be spending the upcoming school year in Thailand as youth exchange participants of the U.S. Department of State on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange (YES) Abroad program.

  The YES Abroad recipients of this academic year of 2025-2026 are Aidan Bailey from Oregon, Amal Mouzahem from Florida, Anya Haroldsen and Kaelyn McArthur from Missouri, Hirsch Zickefoose from Wyoming, and Lila Mellon from Pennsylvania. They were accompanied by Mr. Brandon Penrod, a YES Abroad Thailand alumnus, and Ms. Favoured-Joy Oghenekome, YES Abroad Coordinator with AFS-USA.

  The discussion with the American youth recipients covered aspects of Thai culture, tradition, cuisine, and the geography of the provinces where the students will live with host families in Nan, Payao, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Yasothon, and Nonthaburi. The Deputy Chief of Mission also gave practical advice on the dos and don'ts while living and learning in Thailand.