On 16 August 2026, Mr. Jak Sangchai, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., presided over the ceremony to celebrate the appointment of Phra Videsratanaporn (Thanat Atthajari) as the new Abbot of Wat Thai Washington, D.C. by the Council of the Thai Bhikkhus in the USA.

The Chargé d'Affaires a.i. extended his congratulations and paid tribute to the Abbot, joined by Buddhist devotees who traveled from across the United States for the occasion. Attendees took part in Buddhist chanting and offered a meal to monks, led by Phra Thepvajiravides, President of the Council of the Thai Bhikkhus in the USA. A large number of disciples and supporters of Wat Thai Washington, D.C. also came to extend their congratulations and made charitable offerings.