On 30 November 2023, the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., organized a reception on the occasion of the National Day of Thailand, the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, and Thailand’s Father’s Day 5 December 2023 at Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Tanee Sangrat gave remarks, focusing on the importance of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, the National Day, Father’s Day, and World Soil Day, as well as the 190 years of Thai-U.S. relations and the achievements this year (1) Alliance – The establishment of U.S.-Thai Alliance Caucus, the Prime Minister’s visits to the U.S., the U.S. APEC Host Year and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the coming official visit to the U.S. of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, (2) Economic Sustainability – The increasing bilateral trade and investment, new Thai Government’s commitment to expand Thai-U.S. trade and investment partnership especially on green economy, clean energy, electric vehicles (EVs), as well as Thailand as the host of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and (3) People to People Relations – Sawasdee DC Thai Festival, the establishment of Thai Restaurant Association of America, the establishment of Sister City relations between Chiang Mai Province and Austin, Texas, and the Siamese Twins “Eng-Chang Bunker,” who founded one of the oldest bonds between Thailand and the U.S.

U.S. Guests of Honor, namely, (1) Rep. Michelle Park Steel, Co-Chair of the U.S.-Thai Alliance Caucus, (2) Rep. James Moylan, Guam’s congressional delegate and member of the U.S.-Thai Alliance Caucus, and (3) Ms. Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, expressed their congratulations on the National Day, as well as gave remarks on partnership between Thailand and the U.S. and the ways to advance further cooperation.

The performances included (1) Musical compositions of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great by DC Jazz Collective, (2) Khon performance by the Thai American Association of Florida, (3) Nuad Thai (Thai massage) demonstration by Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America, and (4) Fashion show of Thai textiles and dresses by The Phukaw from Los Angeles, California, with support from Siam Exclusive Gems & Jewelry and Cintia Hullen Model Academy.

Other activities included: (1) Fruit carving demonstration by the Ambassador’s Residence, (2) Presentations of Thailand’s tourism and economic potentials – tourism information by the Tourism Authority of Thailand New York Office, aromatherapy products by the Office of Commercial Affairs, coconut juice products by the Office of Agricultural Affairs, tuna and salmon products by Thai Union, orchids by the Orchid Lei Company, and Loy Krathong festival presented by Thai-American Association and Southern Thai Association, (3) Nuad Thai (Thai massage) service by Nuad Thai and Spa Association of America, (4) Photobooth with Thai tourist attractions and Thai culture by Consular Section, and (5) Thai start-ups technology and innovation presented by Global Innovation Club, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C.

The food was provided by the Ambassador’s Residence, the Offices of Defense and Military Attaché, the Naval Attaché, the Air Attaché, Educational Affairs, CP Foods and Homegrown Shrimp USA, Thai-American Association, Southern Thai Association, Thai Isan Association, and Thai restaurants in DMV area, namely, Edy’s Chicken & Steak, Sisters Thai, Thai Peppers, Thai Signature (Alexandria), and Tiki Thai.

Photo credits:
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