On 18 July 2026, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, together with a delegation from the Royal Thai Embassy and Team Thailand in Washington D.C., attended the 36th Annual Reunion of the Descendants of the Siamese Twins at White Sulphur Springs Venue in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The Thai delegation was welcomed by Mrs. Misty Smith, a descendant of Eng Bunker, along with descendants of the Siamese Twins and members of the Thai community in North Carolina.

 

At the Annual Reunion, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of the strong people-to-people ties between Thailand and the United States, which have long served as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. He noted the significant role of Eng and Chang Bunker in the history of Thai–U.S. relations and emphasized that the annual reunion continues to reflect the enduring bonds between Thailand and the descendants of the Siamese Twins. Additionally, the Royal Thai Embassy presented a video message from Mr. Chayachai Saeng-in, Governor of Samut Songkhram Province, expressing his determination to strengthen the partnership between Samut Songkhram and Mount Airy, which he was personally involved in the signing of the sister-city MOU in 2019.

 

Earlier in the morning, the Ambassador visited the gravesite of Eng and Chang Bunker at White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery to pay respects and laid a flower bouquet. He also visited the Chang & Adelaide Home Place, where he was warmly received and given a tour by Mrs. Alex Sink, a descendant of Chang Bunker. He further visited the Siamese Twins Museum, which showcases the lives and legacy of Eng and Chang Bunker, as well as the Andy Griffith Museum, one of Mount Airy's prominent cultural attractions, led by Mrs. Tanya Jones, a descendant of Eng Bunker.

 

In addition, the Ambassador led members of Team Thailand to attend the dinner hosted by Mr. Jon Cawley, Mayor of Mount Airy, and attended business representatives, during which they exchanged views on further promoting relations, cooperation and economic opportunities between Thailand and the City of Mount Airy. The Ambassador took the opportunity to present a letter from the Governor of Samut Songkhram Province to the Mayor. Later in the evening, the Ambassador joined the city's music festival, providing another opportunity to strengthen ties with local leaders and the community.

 

Mount Airy was home to Eng and Chang Bunker for more than 30 years. They married two sisters - Adelaide Yates and Sarah Anne Yates - and had a total of 21 children before their passing in 1874. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 1,500 of their descendants. The Annual Reunion continues to serve as an important occasion to celebrate the shared heritage of the descendants and to further promote the longstanding people-to-people ties between Thailand and the United States.