On 9 December 2023, Ambassador Tanee Sangrat presided over the launching ceremony of the Thai Restaurant Association of America (TRAA), which was successfully established on 2 October 2023, under the cooperation of leading Thai restaurant entrepreneurs in DMV and the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. The mission of TRAA is to strengthen and empower Thai restaurants and related businesses in the United States.

The event witnessed over 200 attendees who are Thai restaurant owners, importers of food supplies, and Thai community members. Senator Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the Virginia General Assembly, Ms. Christine Warnke, board member of Sister Cities International and board of directors of Washington, D.C. State Representative, and Mr. Ben De Guzman, Director on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, Washinton, D.C. Mayor’s Office, were also present, to give their congratulatory remarks.

Ambassador Tanee expressed his appreciation and commended TRAA’s founding and board members for their dedication and sacrifices in establishing the Association, which would bolster the network of Thai restaurant businesses in the U.S. and serve as a pivotal mechanism to aid, support, and protect the interests of Thai restaurant owners in various aspects. The launching of TRAA is also in keeping with the government’s effort to promote Thai soft power and will be fully supported by the Embassy, particularly to serve Thai restaurants in the U.S.