Visit to Thailand of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

On Monday, January 26, 2015 Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel visited the Kingdom of Thailand as part of a broader Southeast Asia trip.  During his visit he met with senior government officials and figures from across the political spectrum to discuss the 182 year-old U.S.-Thailand relationship, Thailand’s return to democracy, and issues significant to the two nations and the region.  Assistant Secretary Russel also discussed democracy and human rights with civil society leaders and had an opportunity to engage with Thai youth and representatives of civil society, discussing the U.S. rebalance to Asia and youth leadership across the region at an event hosted by the Institute of Security and International Studies.  During his interview with Thai PBS, he explained the importance of the U.S.-Thai relationship and U.S. priorities for engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.  Assistant Secretary Russel’s travel to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries illustrates the importance that the United States places on the region.