The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. in collaboration with the Asia Foundation organized a roundtable discussion on Thailand-U.S Relations at 190 years: Past, Present, Future

On 20 March 2023, the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. in collaboration with the Asia Foundation organized a roundtable discussion on Thailand-U.S Relations at 190 years: Past, Present, Future. The roundtable was part of commemoration of the 190 years of the Thai-U.S. diplomatic relations, which began exactly 190 years ago on 20 March 1833 when the Treaty of Amity and Commerce was signed. Keynote speakers were Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) (by video message), Mrs. Melissa Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia Affairs and the Office of Maritime Southeast Asia Affairs and H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the U.S. The panelists included Col. Larry Redmon, Former U.S. Military Attaché, Assistant Professor Dr. Pongphisoot Busbarat, Assistant Dean, Department of International Relations, Chulalongkorn University and Director of ISIS Thailand and Dr. Catharin Dalpino, Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University with Mr. John Brandon, Senior Director of International Relations, The Asia Foundation, as the moderator of the event.

Senator Duckworth congratulated the long-standing alliance with Thailand, the oldest ally in Asia that (the U.S.) can count on in times of both peace and conflict, tackling crimes and providing humanitarian assistance together in the region. In addition, the two countries enjoy multifaceted cooperation from security, defence, economy to people to people contacts. She also expressed that she is forever proud to call herself a Thai-American.

Ambassador Tanee discussed the reliable alliance and interdependence between the two countries as well as his plans to elevate the alliance such as encouraging high-level visits from Thailand during the 8 APEC Ministerial meetings throughout the U.S. APEC host year this year. In addition, he discussed opportunities for future cooperation, particularly potentials to intensify economic coorporation between the U.S. and Thailand in trade and investment in digital coorporation, cyber security, electric vehicle industry, medical devices and startups. Other potential areas of cooperation include development diplomacy and trilateral cooperation in the Mekhong sub-region. He also emphasized the importance of supporting stronger Thai community and associations in the U.S. as a mean to enhance the visibility and roles of the Thai community.

Each panelist discussed the historical aspect of the Thai-U.S. relations, the current state of the alliance and the potential areas of collaboration as well as challenges going forward. The Royal Thai Embassy will organize activities to celebrate 190 years of the Thai- U.S. relations throughout the year, which includes public seminars and cultural activities such as Thai Food week, various Thai Festivals in the U.S., and the Thai Festival to commemorate 190 years of diplomatic relations in July at the national mall in Washington D.C.

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