Welcomes

H.E. Ambassador Kasit Piromya

US-Thailand Business Council’s welcoming luncheon for the new Thai Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Kasit Piromya, was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, D.C. on July 21, 2004.  This noteworthy occasion was attended by Ambassadors from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia,and the Philippines as well as former US Ambassadors to Thailand.  High level officials from the US Department of State, USTR, Department of Commerce and US Treasury also joined USTBC to make early quaintances with Ambassador Kasit.  The private sector companies: Boeing, Dow Chemical Company, General Electric, and American Express, also attended.  USTBC’s President, Karl Jackson, welcomed all the guests and cited  Ambassador Kasit’s remarkable accomplishments.  Ken Pierce of Willkie Farr & Gallagher emphasized  Ambassador Kasit’s timely appointment and the importance of the pending Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Thailand as well as the pending Shrimp issue. Following His Excellency’s formal introduction, Ambassador Kasit made remarks including his appreciation to all those attending. Ambassador Kasit made the analogy that The Royal Thai Embassy and US-Thailand Business Council, were ‘Siamese Twins’ with their dedication towards the bilateral US-Thailand relationship.  In addition to comments on the significance of the shrimp anti-dumping case and the future bi-lateral trade relations, Ambassador Kasit reported on his recent observations in southern Thailand and provided a brief overview of the positive changes the region might expect.  The luncheon was sponsored by the US-Thailand Business Council, The Heritage Foundation, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP, and the Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C.