On 10 May, 2025 H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Thai Ambassador to the U.S. presided over the opening of the Minnesota Songkran Festival 2025 at the State Capitol grounds in Saint Paul, joined by Mrs. Katanawadee Kalayanamit, Consul-General of Thailand in Chicago, Ms. Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, and Mrs. Natnapang Damrongsoontornchai, Deputy Consul-General. Representatives from Minnesota’s government, including Senator Eric Pratt and Bob Jacobson from the Department of Public Safety, also attended.

In his remarks, the Ambassador praised the strong ties between Thailand and Minnesota, highlighting shared values such as respect for diversity, generosity, and community. Having been an ice hockey player himself, Ambassador Suriya also commended the state's hockey tradition as a symbol of unity and pride, recalling the University's college championship team of 1979 which provided the bulk of the U.S. gold-medal "Miracle on Ice" team in 1980.

Now in its fourth year, the Minnesota Songkran Festival is one of the largest Thai cultural events in the U.S., organized by the Thai Cultural Council of Minnesota to promote cultural exchange among Thai, Asian Pacific, and local communities. The festival featured traditional Thai performances such as Muay Thai, classical dance, and Khon, along with Thai food, crafts, and cultural exhibits. The Embassy and Consulate – General teams also led a popular Thai–Lao papaya salad (Som Tum) demonstration.

Minnesota shares historic ties with Thailand, having welcomed many Southeast Asian refugees who first found shelter in Thailand. Today, it is home to diverse communities like the Hmong, Lao, Karen, and Tai Dam, reflecting the enduring humanitarian and cultural bonds between Southeast Asia and the U.S.