Great Thailand-U.S. friendship at Thailand’s National Day in Washington, D.C.


On the eve of 4 December 2019, the Royal Thai Embassy and Team Thailand in Washington, D.C. hosted a reception at the Fairmont Georgetown Hotel to celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand in commemoration of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Thailand’s Father’s Day. It was also an occasion to mark Father’s Day for Thailand and the United Nations World Soil Day, which was held annually to honor His Majesty the late King Bhumibol for his works on soil resources development, especially agricultural development.

The event was attended by over 400 guests from various U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Congress, diplomatic corps, business community, media, academic circle, think tanks, and the Thai community in Washington, DC and nearby areas.

At the beginning, Ambassador Thani Thongphakdi warmly welcomed all friends of Thailand who gathered at the event to show friendship and solidarity with Thailand and the Thai people. He stressed how historic this year has been for Thailand, which include the Coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhau, a general election and the Chairmanship of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ambassador Thani also reiterated long-lasting and close Thailand-U.S. relations, as well as how such alliance and partnership are now back on an even keel in all areas, including political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties.

The Royal Thai Embassy was honored to have the Honorable Atul Keshap, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the Honorable Allison Hooker, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs, National Security Council, and the Honorable Ted Yoho, Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, U.S. House of Representatives, as Guests of Honor for the event. The Guests of Honor congratulated on the celebration of Thailand’s National Day, as well as reiterated the importance of Thailand as the oldest treaty partner of the U.S. in Asia and joint achievements when the two countries work together.

Among great friends of Thailand attended the event were the Honorable Diane Farrell, Under Secretary for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce, the Honorable Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Ambassador Stephen Akard, Director of Office of Foreign Missions, and Ms. Elizabeth Dugan, Vice President of U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.

During the event, guests enjoyed Thai traditional music, Thai classical dance, authentic Thai food and desserts from the Ambassador’s Residence with an appetizer from the Office of the Naval Attache, a cultural corner with hand-carved fruits and vegetables in cooperation with the Office of the Air Attache, coconut water and coconut puddings from Thailand sponsored by Office of Agricultural Affairs, and tourist destination exhibitions by Tourism Authority of Thailand, New York.

Remarks by His Excellency Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States on Occasion of the Reception to Celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, The Fairmont Hotel, Washington, D.C., December 4, 2019