On 3 August 2023, the Royal Thai Embassy hosted a graduation ceremony followed by a reception for the five Thai-American students participating in the 2023 Thai-American National Internship Program (TANIP). The ceremony featured opening remarks from Ms. Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. and Mr. Ben Wu, Vice Chairman of the US-Asia Institute. The TANIP participants also shared their invaluable internship experiences, their personal journeys as proud Thai-Americans, and the careers they envisioned after graduation.

This year’s TANIP participants had the opportunity to pursue their internships at various agencies: Alyssa Chatnakrob Leawprasert at the Office of Congressman Scott Peters, D-CA; Olivia Ruderman at the Office of Congressman James Moylan, Guam At-Large; Joseph Tak Maga and Natasha Siripha Yotmanee at the East-West Center; and Natchapol Israngkura Na Ayudhya at Optica.

TANIP was initiated in 2015 with a view of building a new generation of Thai-Americans by offering internship experiences on the Hill and the surrounding public policy and political infrastructure to enable young Thai-Americans to gain insights on policy issues that are relevant to them and Thai communities across the U.S. The participants were also offered a 2-week internship at the Embassy to understand more about their Thai heritage and the enduring relationship and alliance between Thailand and the U.S.