The Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP)

 

 

The Thai-American National Internship Program (TANIP) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Thai-American students and young graduates to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington D.C., and to reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in enhancing the voice of the Thai community in their states.

In 2015, the Royal Thai Embassy initiated a program to provide Thai-American youths with the opportunity to intern/shadow in various offices at the national level. This experience helps participants develop a stronger understanding of how government operates by experiencing it from an insider’s perspective. The program prepares young leaders to participate in the political, legislative and policy arenas, and is dedicated to developing the skills of individuals who are interested in public service. Not only is this an invaluable professional experience, but it also benefits the Thai community in the United States by increasing the interest of Thais in American politics.

Sponsored by the Royal Thai Embassy, in consultation with the U.S.-Asia Institute, the 2025 program is organized to provide the opportunity for Thai-American students and young graduates to come to Washington D.C. from 2 June – 15 August 2025 (11 weeks) to get hands-on experience in the policymaking process.

During the first week orientation, participants would get an inside look at how government works, hearing from Washington policymakers and influencers who play key roles in the American political system. Following the orientation, the students would visit key institutions across Washington, including the Capitol, Federal agencies, the Supreme Court, think tanks, associations and businesses. They would attend congressional and judicial proceedings, briefings on topics of interest, and meet many key participants, policymakers and influencers (including lawmakers, Administration officials, lobbyists, educators, journalists and others). On weekends, they would explore the city and interact with other Americans and foreign nationals in a wide range of social settings.

Participants will primarily be paired with a congressional office or other elected officials from their home district, unless otherwise requested. Due to the highly competitive nature of these positions, placement with a congressional office is not guaranteed. In these instances, participants will be paired with other appropriate organizations. While participants’ background and interests may not be in politics, they are encouraged to intern and make connections with elected officials, their staff and key influencers in Washington. This will not only help facilitate the understanding of how government works, but also equip participants with insights on how to make the concerns of those in their respective Thai community heard at the national level. The students will also spend one week at the Royal Thai Embassy, gaining hands-on experience on Thai-U.S. relations.

Participants may be asked to attend briefings on Thailand and other topics of interest vis-à-vis the bilateral and regional relationship with the United States. Though participants are not experts on the issue, they are in a unique position of having ancestral ties to Thailand and a better understanding of cultural nuances in the relationship. They will also be required to write a short analysis on the experience at the end of the program.  We firmly believe that those chosen for the program have a role to play in informing U.S. policymakers and others about Thailand and its areas of interest.

Acceptance:  Thai-American students and young graduates who meet the qualifications will be accepted for this program.

Format:  The program includes one week of orientation where students will be introduced to how the American government works through a series of meetings with policymakers and influencers from government, business, academia, and the diplomatic community. The student will then be placed in shadowing/internship positions for seven weeks of hands-on experience. They will spend their last week interning at the Royal Thai Embassy to gain insights into Thai-U.S. relations.

Expenses:  Participants are responsible for all expenses related to the program including travel to Washington, D.C. and return home; food; ground transportation throughout the program; and cultural and spending money.  All participants must, after acceptance into the program, show proof of health insurance. Scholarships may be available to defray part of the costs of the program with the amount to be determined.

Requirements:

1. Candidate qualifications

• Age 18-25 years old
• An undergraduate degree OR enrolled as a full-time undergraduate /or graduate student in good academic standing
• U.S. citizenship
• Thai descent
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Record of community service

2. Application process

Prospective candidates can access the online application by clicking HERE 

**The online application form and other required documents must be submitted by January 13, 2025.**

The online application form will ask for:

• Resume (click HERE for resume sample)
• Statement of Intent and Impact
• A copy of most recent transcript
• One to two letters of recommendation
• A portfolio of Thai-American community engagements (optional)
• A copy of U.S. passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship as proof of candidate’s U.S. citizenship
• A copy of parent’s ID, passport, or any official document as proof of Thai descent
• A copy of voter registration card
  

   

**Click HERE to see the preview of the application form**

3. Selection process:

1) A selection committee comprised of qualified individuals from the Royal Thai Embassy and the U.S.-Asia Institute will consider the applications. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for a video conference interview with the selection committee.

2) Final candidates will be contacted directly by February 14, 2025 and the results will be announced on the Royal Thai Embassy’s website.

For more information, contact the Royal Thai Embassy at [email protected] /202-298-4799, or U.S.-Asia Institute at [email protected] /202-544-3181

 

THAI AMERICAN VATIONAL INTERSHIP PROGRAM 2025
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

June 2 to August 15, 2025

June 1, 2025	Arrive in Washington, D.C.
June 2-6, 2025	Orientation/Introduction to the City Visits/Meetings with Representatives from The Executive and Judicial Branch (The White House, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Education, U.S.  Department of Defense, U.S. Supreme Court); Legislative Branch; Policy Influencers (Think Tanks, Journalists, Lobbyists, and Businesses/Private Sector) Site Visits/Tours of the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Pentagon
June 9-13, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
June 16-20, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
June 23-27, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
June 30- July 4, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 7-11, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 14-18, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 21-25, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 28- August 1, 2025	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
August 4-15, 2025	Internship at the Royal Thai Embassy
August 8, 2025	Program Wrap-Up/Evaluation
August 8, 2025	Certificate Presentation at the Royal Thai Embassy
August 9 or 16, 2025	Return Home

 

TANIP Alumni Testimonials

2023 TANIP Cohort

Alyssa Leawprasert
Office of Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA50)
Read Alyssa’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Joseph Tak Maga
East-West Center
Read Joseph’s Reflection on TANIP Experience




Natasha Siripha Yotmanee
East-West Center
Read Natasha’s Reflection on TANIP Experience




Natchapol Israngkura Na Ayudha
Optica
Read Natchapol ‘s Reflection on TANIP Experience




Olivia Palinee Ruderman
Office of Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam at-Large)
Read Olivia ‘s Reflection on TANIP Experience

2022 TANIP Cohort
Rosalyn Bejrsuwana
Office of Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Read Rosie’s Reflection on TANIP Experience





Jennifer Davis
House Democratic Caucus
Read Jennifer’s Reflection on TANIP Experience




Perry Srisawat
Office of Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI5)
Read Perry’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Aoy Staples
Office of Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD8)
Read Aoy’s Reflection on TANIP Experience
Aoy’s Reflection on her TANIP Experience (VDO)

2021 TANIP Cohort
Reid Arné
The East-West Center in Washington
Read Reid’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Lisa Guagliano
Office of Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL21)
Read Lisa's Reflection on TANIP Ecperience

Justin Hogenauer
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Read Justin’s Reflection on TANIP Experience
TANIP Alumni Spotlight: VDO

Ty Kiatathikom
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Read Ty’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Ashleigh Kong
Office of Congressman Jeff Fottenberry (R-NE1)
Read Ashleigh’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Sai-kit Jeremy Lee
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
Read Jeremy’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Kendrick Nikornpan
Office of Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA15)
Read Kendrick’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

Kathryn Wangthamkua
Office of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA7)
Read Kathryn’s Reflection on TANIP Experience

2019 TANIP Cohort
Nan Kitiarsa
Office of Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL20)
Read Naree’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Naree Ketudat
Office of Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA15)
Read Naree’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Phet Srisupapol
Office of Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL11)
Read Phet’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Natalie Tantisirirat
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Read Natalie’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

2018 TANIP Cohort
Tasha Boyer
Office of Congressman Robert Brady (D-PA1)
Read Tasha’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Rachel Forrest
Office of Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL11)
Read Rachel’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Ginger Slentz
Office of Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA29)
Read Ginger’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

   

2017 TANIP Cohort
Balin Kird-in
Office of Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL11)
Read Balin’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Cherie La Mere
Office of Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO3)
Read Cherie’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Grace Namchaithotsaphon
Office of Congressman Robert Brady (D-PA1)
Read Grace’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Nattacha Munakata
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
Read Nattacha’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Ada Yarungsee
Office of Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ4)

2016 TANIP Cohort
Peter Wongkraivet
Office of Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY14)

Alit Ponkaew
Office of Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL7)
Read Alit’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Apisra Srivanich-Raper
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
Read Apisra’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington

Charles Tantakool
US-ASEAN Business Council
Read Charles’ Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington
Read Charles’ First Week Impressions of the Thai-American National Internship Program (TANIP)

Lennox Chaiveera
Office of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal Allard (D-CA40)

2015 TANIP Cohort
Sophiaya Chacon-Hyder
US-ASEAN Business Council

Justin Cobkit
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
Read Justin’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington, DC

Ella Duangkaew
US-ASEAN Business Council
Read Ella’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington, DC
Read Ella’s Impression of the first Thai-American National Internship

Surapoj Pochanatwong
Office of Congressman Blake Farenthold (R-TX27)
Read Surapoj’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington, DC

Chakapong Soundara
Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
Read Chakapong’s Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington, DC

Natchaya May Vutrapongvatana
US-ASEAN Business Council
Read May’s Impression of the first Thai-American National Internship Program
Read May’s First Week Experience as a Thai-American Second Generation in Washington, DC