On 8 April 2024, Ambassador Ted Osius, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) hosted a farewell luncheon in honor of Ambassador Tanee Sangrat, upon his completion of duty. Participants included representatives from the U.S. government agencies, Ambassadors and representatives from the ASEAN Embassies in Washington D.C. and executives of U.S. leading companies.

Ambassador Osius expressed his applause to Ambassador Tanee’s role in strengthening the relationships between Thailand and the U.S. in all dimensions which was in accordance with his ASP mission: A-Alliance, S-Economic Sustainability and P-Participation/People to People relations. This was particularly seen in the area of people-to-people relations which was the actual foundation of the solid Thai-US relations.

In Ambassador Tanee’s remarks, he touched upon the following topics.

First, the Embassy’s seven accomplishments which are: (1) the closer bilateral relations and alliance between both countries, (2) the establishment of the U.S.-Thai Alliance Caucus, (3) the series of celebrations commemorating the 190th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, especially, the "Sawasdee DC” festival, (4) the joint effort in securing Thailand as the host for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF, (5) the establishment of the Thai Restaurant Association of America (TRAA), (6) the launching NVA Market leading to the establishment of the third Thai Town in Virginia, and (7) the setting up of the nation-wide network of Thailand and Thai-American associations from student organizations to professional and the Global Innovation Club.

Second, the development of Thai-US relations during his tenue. Highlights included the visits of Prime Minister Sretta to the U.S. in New York and San Francisco, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs’ official visit to the U.S., the visit of Secretary of Commerce to Thailand, the 2nd Thailand-U.S. Strategic and Defense Dialogue (2+2), the 43rd Cobra Gold and the Cope Tiger 2024. Ambassador Tanee also provided an update on Thai-U.S. economic relations as well as Thailand’s continued support to the progress of IPEF.

Third, the Thai Economy’s outlook and the Government’s short, medium and long-term economic policies focusing on foreign investment and enhancing Thailand’s investment climate and competitiveness by accelerating FTA negotiations with key economies, upgrading connectivity within the region and Mekong Subregion, enhancing the green transition, improving the investment climate and updating tailor-made incentives and preparation for accession to the OECD membership.

Fourth, “Thailand Vision 2030, IGNITE Thailand” which is the Prime Minister’s and the Government’s national plan to build Thailand into a regional hub in eight key industries.