Building on the 200 years of friendship with the Kingdom of Thailand, here’s a look ahead at some of the exciting activities and programs we have planned for the upcoming year. Be sure to check back with us for updates in the weeks and months ahead.
2017 Overview
 Regional Security Office In 2017, U.S. assistance will support facility development projects at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Tactical Training Center in Nong Sarai, including the construction of a tactical driving circuit to teach the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and performance and a state-of-the art indoor tactical training building, which will be the first of its kind in ASEAN and will serve as a focal point in all-season law enforcement training capability for the ASEAN Region. |
 Foreign Agricultural Service – Fellowships The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide fellowships to explore topics related to reducing the impacts of agriculture on climate change and market information systems. |
 Foreign Agricultural Service – Training The U.S. Department of Agriculture will support the travel of Thai officials to the United States to participate in training courses to strengthen Thailand’s agricultural industry, including on market information systems and food security in a changing climate. |
 Joint United States Military Advisory Group U.S. Marines Forces Pacific will conduct unexploded ordnance training throughout the year with Royal Thai Armed Forces personnel from the Thai Mine Action Center (TMAC). |
 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative More than 10,000 dynamic Thai students and young professionals are members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), which is strengthening leadership development across ASEAN to meet key regional and global challenges. This year we will send approximately 35 YSEALI Fellows in both the academic and professional tracks to study and intern in the United States. We have selected these Fellows from around Thailand and they represent the best and brightest of the next generation. New YSEALI projects include developing ecotourism along the Mekong River, filmmaking workshops to document environmental conservation efforts in Southeast Asia, and programs to empower women in the garment-making industry. |
 Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences Building on decades of successful collaboration with Thai colleagues on ground-breaking research to advance human health, this year our researchers with the Armed Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) will take important next steps with their Thai partners toward the next HIV vaccine prevention trial in Thailand with the aim to develop a vaccine that could end HIV and AIDS in Southeast Asia and the world. This year they also will expand malaria elimination efforts, enhance infectious disease surveillance, monitor antibiotic resistance, study influenza vaccine effectiveness, pursue a dengue vaccine, and build capacity to provide comprehensive care to landmine victims and trauma patients. |
 U.S. Center for Disease Control The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a comprehensive slate of activities throughout 2017 in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). CDC will work with their Thai colleagues to advance Global Health Security in Thailand, the ASEAN region, and the world. They will accomplish this through building capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. They continue to work on the HIV epidemic through focused research to develop new prevention tools and improvements in programmatic implementation. Given the large burden of non-communicable diseases on the Thai population, CDC will partner closely with the MOPH on Road Traffic Injuries, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, CDC will continue to work on refugee and migrant health, influenza, and pressing public health needs in Thailand. |
January
| Drug Enforcement Administration | The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host Royal Thai Police officers January 23 to February 23 for a 5-week Sensitive Investigative Unit Basic Drug Course in Quantico, Virginia, to support Thailand’s efforts to counter narcotics trafficking. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | Thai business leaders in the tech field with attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2017) in Las Vegas on January 5-8. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On January 16-27, officials from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation will provide training on Crime Scene Investigation to over 80 Royal Thai Police at the Tactical Training Center in Cha-am. |
| Political Affairs Office | The Embassy will host a roundtable with leaders and members of religious organizations to discuss the issue of religious freedom in recognition of Religious Freedom Day, January 16. National Religious Freedom Day commemorates the U.S. state of Virginia’s General Assembly’s adoption of Thomas Jefferson’s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. That statute became the basis for the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment protections for religious freedom. Religious freedom extends beyond mere tolerance. It is a concept grounded in respect for the rights and beliefs of others. |
| Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation | The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations support the January 16 opening of the new Child Advocacy Center of Thailand (CAC) in Pattaya, a partnership between the Royal Thai Police’s Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (TICAC) and the A21 Foundation. The CAC – Pattaya is designed to assist officers in conducting cases against child sex offenders, child traffickers, and online crimes against children. The United States has a long history of law enforcement cooperation with Thailand, including collaboration on key issues such as fighting child exploitation. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | Thai construction industry leaders will attend “World of Concrete” in Las Vegas on January 17. It is the largest international trade show in the world focused on the concrete and masonry industries. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | A variety of Thai business leaders and law enforcement officials will attend the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) and Conference in Las Vegas on January 17. This is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | The U.S. will host a Judicial Workshop on Anti-Trafficking in Persons January 17-20 for forty Thai Appellate Court Judges. The workshop will focus on issues related to adjudicating human trafficking cases and participants will have the opportunity to hear from U.S. officials, including a U.S. Federal Judge, about best practicesใ |
| U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai | The U.S. Consulate Chiang Mai will host a panel of Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian leaders to highlight Religious Freedom Day at a Buddhist university in Chiang Mai on January 18. Approximately 100 religious leaders and academics are expected to attend to discuss the importance of tolerance and religious freedom. |
| Public Affairs Office | Our Young Women Lead! Series continues with “Women and Competition: Challenges of Social Perception” to be held on January 18, 2017 from 7 PM to 9 PM. We are excited to be joined by: Mrs. Pariyakorn Ratanasuban, Managing Director of OneSongchai; the first and only female boxing promoter and President of the Thai Sports Association, and Ms. Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit, the world’s No. 5 women’s skeet shooter, 2016 World ISSF Champion and three time Olympian. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On January 21-February 3, officials from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will lead 8 Thai aviation security officials to the United States to study U.S. aviation security best practices related to quality control and its regulatory enforcement program. This builds on prior Embassy International Law Enforcement and Narcotics Section projects and TSA’s ongoing efforts to expand and enhance Thailand’s capability to conduct its own vulnerability assessments through its security testing program. |
| Consular Affairs Office | The Embassy will host a Facebook Webchat January 23 to answer questions about the Summer Work and Travel (SWT) program, which helps post-secondary school students to work and travel throughout the U.S.; get to know its culture and its people; improve English language skills; earn money; develop a network of international contacts; and gain marketable job skills. |
| Public Affairs Office | From January 27-29, American saxophonist Donald Harrison performs and hosts workshops at the Thailand International Jazz Conference at Mahidol University. |
| Economic Affairs Office | From January 30 to March 3, U.S. Embassy Science Fellow Ashley Steel, from the U.S. Forest Service, will collaborate with the Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to develop and strengthen interpretive and educational programs to help visitors to Thailand’s national parks understand and appreciate the natural heritage being preserved and the connections between national parks and global concerns such as wildlife trafficking and climate change. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | U.S. Law Enforcement will offer an advanced law enforcement training seminar to 140 mid-level Thai officers January 30 to March 10 to share best practices and insights into addressing the significant challenges facing the law enforcement community today. The courses will be taught by law enforcement professional from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Secret Service. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | On January 31, Thai power industry and IT specialists will attend DistribuTECH in San Diego, California, a leading annual smart grid event. Attendees will learn about the latest smart grid energy technology. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Public Affairs Office | Two U.S. Fulbright scholars come to Bangkok for the semester. Dr. Lisa Hines will teach STEM Education while Jason Yackee will research Investment Law. |
February
| EducationUSA | Join EducationUSA Fairs in February 2017 and meet representatives from top U.S. universities and learn about student visa process. Learn more about participating universities and pre-register for free at https://educationusathailand.eventbrite.com. Fairs will be held in Phuket on February 1, Chiang Mai on February 2 and Bangkok on February 4. |
| Management Office | The U.S. Embassy will host its fourth pop-up Farmers’ Market on February 2. The Farmers’ Market supports the producers of locally grown organic products and allows embassy employees and members of the public to enjoy a variety of healthy and locally-sourced products. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On February 2-10, officials with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will lead Thai officials from the Royal Thai Police and Department of Special Investigations to visit the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the HSI Cyber Crimes Center in Washington, D.C. The participants are members of the recently created Thai Crimes Against Children Task Force (TICAC) with whom U.S. law enforcement enjoys strong cooperation to combat child sexual exploitation. |
| Economic Affairs Office and U.S. Consulate Chiang Mai | On February 5-10, under the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), the University of Minnesota and Chiang Mai University will join forces to present the One Health Leadership Training Program to academics and activists. The One Health concept emphasizes connections among human, animal, and environmental health. One Health is important because six out of every 10 infectious diseases in human are spread from animals. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On February 7-10, the Embassy International Law Enforcement and Narcotics Section, the U.S. Department of Justice, and our partners in the Thai Judiciary will host the 2nd Annual Southeast Asia Judicial Workshop on Cybercrime. The Workshop will bring together leading judges from throughout ASEAN countries together with U.S. Federal Judges and experts from the US Department of Justice to discuss issues related to adjudicating cases involving computers and the internet. More than 130 senior judges from Thailand and the region will attend. |
| Joint United States Military Advisory Group | On February 14-24, U.S. Armed Forces will join the Royal Thai Armed Forces in conducting the largest multilateral exercise in the Asia-Pacific region, the Cobra Gold. This exercise brings together more than two dozen nations to address regional and global security challenges and to promote international cooperation within the region. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On February 23-March 10, Thai-American Chicago Police Officer Trak Silapaduriyang will teach important police training skills to instructors at the Royal Police Cadet Academy. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Public Affairs Office | Think-tank professionals and scholars from Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam will hold a forum in Bangkok, Thailand on think-tank development and maximizing the impact of substantive ideas and facts on public policy. |
| Public Affairs Office | Workshops and performances by the Stephen Petronio Dance Company will be held in Chiang Mai and Mahasarakham. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Stephen Petronio is widely regarded as one of the leading choreographers of his generation. New music, visual art, and fashion collide in his dances, producing powerful choreographic images. Founded in 1984, Stephen Petronio Company has performed in 26 countries throughout the world, including over 40 New York City engagements. Featuring music by electronic pioneer Clams Casino, costumes by acclaimed designer Narciso Rodriguez, and lighting by Ken Tabachnick. |
| Public Affairs Office | American Jazz artist Allison Miner and her quartet are in residence at Rangsit University for Jazz Education Abroad. |
March
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On March 1, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents will be embedded with the Thai Crimes Against Children Task Force (TICAC) to share their experience and best practices with their Thai colleagues in combating child exploitation. |
| Management Office | The Embassy plans to adopt approximately 25 turtles and tortoises from Mahidol University. The rescued, seized, or abandoned (pet) turtles and tortoises will be released March 3 into the Mission’s green and biodiverse grounds. A number of Embassy programs and activities support efforts to combat wildlife trafficking in the region. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | On March 7-11, Thai construction industry representatives will attend “CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017” in Las Vegas. This conference will showcase the latest construction equipment. |
| Political Affairs Office | In commemoration of International Women’s Day (March 8), the Embassy will host an event to bring together Thai women leaders from government and female politicians to discuss the challenges, roles, and future of women in Thai politics. On March 8, many around the world will commemorate International Women’s Day, a day to reflect on progress made, to call for further positive change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | On March 8-12, a variety of Thai entrepreneurs will attend the Natural Product Expo in Anaheim, California – one of largest natural product-focused events in the United States. |
| Public Affairs Office | In partnership with Bangkok Christian College, the Embassy will be presenting “Chick Corea Jazz” in Bangkok on Saturday, March 11. |
| Peace Corps | On March 20, 68 Peace Corps Trainees will be sworn in as Volunteers to train teachers in English and serve youth throughout Thailand for two years. This group of Volunteers will be the 129th group to serve in Thailand since 1962 (over 5,400 Volunteers have served in the Kingdom since then). The new Volunteers and their Thai counterparts will work together over the next two years of service on projects to develop education and help youth develop skills that enhance their career and life opportunities in communities throughout Thailand. |
| Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs | On March 20-31, officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol will provide courses on Traffic Accident Investigations to 80 Royal Thai Police officers at the Tactical Training Center in Cha-am. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Foreign Agricultural Service | The U.S. Department of Agriculture will co-sponsor a Great American Burger Competition in Pattaya to share American culture and to introduce Thais to the variety, quality, and reliability of U.S. food and agricultural products. It will also be a fun opportunity to show off the talent of some of Pattaya’s most creative chefs. |
| Joint United States Military Advisory Group | The Cope Tiger military exercise between the Royal Thai Air Force, United States Pacific Air Forces, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force will focus on supporting peace and security in the region by enhancing military air cooperation in airborne operations and improving readiness. |
| United States Agency for International Development | In March, USAID will support the “National Call to Action on Community-Led Health Services” to highlight civil-society capacities and capabilities for accreditation and cost-efficient delivery of HIV testing and other services in community-based settings. Community leadership has been at the core of historical progress in the fight against HIV, and enhancing this leadership is critical to achieving the ambitious global vision to fast track an end to AIDS as a public health threat over the next five years. USAID is working closely with the Royal Thai Government to advance Thailand’s regional and global leadership in ending HIV. |
| Public Affairs Office | Southeast Asian Fiction Film Lab will take place in Chiang Mai. Paul Federbush from the Sundance Institute will work with filmmakers, and present a lecture on filmmaking to Bangkok university students. |
April
| Economic Affairs Office | On April 24-27, the United States and Thailand will co-host the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Frontiers of Science Education Symposium and networking session for LMI Young Scientists Network, which will bring together young science education leaders from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam to share teaching innovations, learn from best practice, and network with colleagues from across the Lower Mekong to catalyze the formation of a vibrant network of engaged science education leaders and propagate innovative and effective teaching strategies that prepare future scientists and science-literate workers to face 21st century challenges and opportunities. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Economic Affairs Office | Nuclear Detection System Maintenance Workshop, hosted by U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration for Southeast Asian countries with radiation detection systems to build capacity on maintaining systems to detect and respond to illicit smuggling of nuclear and radiological materials. |
| Economic Affairs Office | The U.S. Embassy will launch a campaign to promote road safety in Thailand, including a Road Safety Speaker from Mothers Against Drunk Driving |
May
| Foreign Commercial Service | On May 9-11, representatives from Thailand will attend “WasteExpo 2017” – a leading event in the solid waste, recycling and organic waste sector. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Management Office | The Embassy will celebrate 70 years of the U.S. Mission’s use of the Ambassador’s historic house. Built in 1914, the house has served since 1947 as the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. |
| Joint United States Military Advisory Group | The CARAT military exercise will include a series of training activities in the region that strengthens cooperation and ties between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy and the Royal Thai Armed Forces. |
| YSEALI | About 12 young Thais aged between 26-35 from all over the country will spend 5 weeks in the US in 5 professional fellow programs focusing on legislative process and governance, civic engagement, NGO promotion, environment, and economic empowerment. Some of them will host outbound fellows from the US soon after they come back. |
June
| Peace Corps | Among the hundreds of activities that Peace Corps Volunteers do in collaboration with their Thai counterparts each year include a Peace Corps Volunteers in collaboration with their Thai counterparts will organize a “Youth Leadership Summit” June 9-11 which will bring together Thai youth from districts all across Thailand to share and learn from each other, further develop their leadership skills, and plan for a broader program of life skills and civic volunteerism among youth in their communities. |
July
| Peace Corps | This year Peace Corps Thailand celebrates its 55th Anniversary. To mark this historical occasion, during July 15-24, we’re bringing back Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who have served in Thailand since 1962 to gather together in Thailand to celebrate 55 years of Peace Corps in Thailand by conducting a public service event, such as tree planting or park land restoration. The participating RPCVs also will return to their communities of service to reunite with coworkers and Thais whom they served as Volunteers. Peace Corps Volunteers work side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. |
| Foreign Commercial Service | July 16-17, Thai business leaders will attend the International Franchise Expo in New York, New York |
| Foreign Commercial Service | July 30-August 3, Thai medical field professionals will attend the AACC Clinical Lab Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. They will be among 20,000 medical professionals and healthcare leaders at this annual event which showcases revolutionary advancements in clinical testing. This event supports the high-quality Thai medical care sector. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Joint United States Military Advisory Group | This bilateral military exercise will focus on improving Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response capability, medical care, search and rescue operations, aviation and aviation maintenance and military planning. |
| Public Affairs Office | Tammy Ladda Duckworth, the first Thai-American senator of Illinois, will talk to Thai audiences about gender equality and rights for people with disabilities. |
September
| Foreign Commercial Service | September 10-13, Thai Industry leaders in the Solar Power sector will attend Solar Power International in Las Vega – the premier solar power trade show in North America. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Public Affairs Office | The Embassy will host a Forum to discuss the South China Sea and Environmental Degradation. |
October
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| YSEALI | About 12 young Thais aged between 26-35 from all over the country will spend 5 weeks in the US in 5 professional fellow programs focusing on legislative process and governance, civic engagement, NGO promotion, environment, and economic empowerment. Some of them will host outbound fellows from the US soon after they come back. |
November
| Foreign Commercial Service | November 11-12, the U.S. Embassy will showcase education opportunities in the United States at Thailand’s Office of Civil Service Commission (OCSC) annual university fair. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Foreign Agricultural Service | The U.S. Department of Agriculture will co-sponsor a Great American Burger Competition in Bangkok to share American culture and to introduce Thais to the variety, quality, and reliability of U.S. food and agricultural products. It will also be a fun opportunity to show off the talent of some of Bangkok’s most creative chefs. |
December
| Foreign Commercial Service | December 5-7, Thai power industry professionals will attend POWER-GEN International in Las Vegas. This is the leading power industry annual trade show in the United States. |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH | |
| Joint United States Military Advisory Group | The U.S. will host discussions between senior level Thai and U.S. Defense officials in Washington D.C. on a variety of military cooperation initiatives. |
| Consular Affairs Office | In 2017, the Embassy expects to issue visas to over 47,000 tourists; help over 4,500 students achieve their dreams by issuing them a visa to attend school in the United States; facilitate 7,500 exchange program and Summer Work and Travel participants to have the experience of a lifetime; and, perhaps most importantly, reunite over 2,500 families and fiancés. |
