On 24-26 February 2023, a consular team from the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC, led by Consul Sart Chaivoraphorn, organized a mobile consular service at Wat Buddhananachat of Austin in Del Valle, Texas. The team provided services in renewing passports and ID cards as well as providing information and advices on other consular matters for Thai people living in Austin and nearby areas such as Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and other neighboring states such as Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, etc. The team catered special services for those aged 70 and over on 24 February to facilitate seniors who may find it inconvenient to make online appointment in advance.

Ambassador Tanee Sangrat, during his official trip to Texas, visited the mobile consular service unit and met with Thai people waiting for the services, representatives of the Thai community, and the media. Ambassador Tanee emphasized the Embassy’s consular services and determination to strengthen the Thai community in the US, particularly in supporting and promoting an increasing role of the Thai associations/groups at the national level, namely the Thai American Samakkee Coalition, Thai American Bar Association (TABA), Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America, Association of Thai Students in United States of America (ATSA), and also the Thai Restaurant Association of America (TRAA), which is in the process of being established.

This 3-day mobile consular service attracted a large number of Thai people, who were impressed with the service as it has been 7 years since the last service by the Embassy in Austin. The Embassy’s consular team was able to provide services for more than 550 people, comprising renewal of 378 passports and 146 ID cards, and 30 consular consultations.