Press Statement

Office of the Spokesperson

The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life. We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.

After three impactful years, we bid farewell to Consul General Lisa Buzenas. We’re grateful for her leadership and dedication to strengthening ties between the United States and northern Thailand across many fields that have left both of our countries safer, more secure, and more prosperous. We wish her all the best in her next chapter!

BANGKOK, Thailand – June 30, 2025 – The U.S. Embassy Bangkok, in partnership with the MIT ASEAN Initiative and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), today hosted the inaugural “Disaster Management Conference: Technology, Innovation, and Research for Effective Disaster Response and Prevention” at One Bangkok Forum. This half-day event aimed to foster open dialogue on disaster management policy, highlight American expertise in disaster management research and practice, and create opportunities for American private sector companies with various disaster management solutions to engage with policymakers, academics, non-governmental organizations, and thought leaders in Thailand and ASEAN countries.

The conference featured opening remarks from U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec, Dr. Sorapop Kiatpongsan, Director of the MIT ASEAN Initiative, and Mr. Chatit Huayhongtong, President of AmCham and Chevron Thailand.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Godec highlighted the long history of U.S. assistance to Thailand during times of need. He noted the conference’s timeliness following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that affected Thailand on March 28, causing damage in 18 provinces. Following the incident, the Ambassador noted the immediate deployment of U.S. support, including the U.S. military’s state-of-the-art remote sensing device to help Thai-led search and rescue teams at the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building at Chatuchak. This device assisted the teams by detecting 70 potential spots for victims deep within the SAO building rubble, a “tangible difference this new technology was making on the ground.” Ambassador Godec stressed that America is leading in innovation and technology in disaster management, with scientists unlocking AI’s potential for predictive modeling, designing technology to increase community resilience, and creating solutions for disaster mitigation. He also highlighted the crucial role of preparedness, achieved through platforms like the annual Cobra Gold Exercises. This exercise brings together 30 nations for joint training, which for the last twenty years specifically addressed responding to disasters and life-threatening crises through training such as Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations, training that participants have implemented to save countless lives. He concluded by quoting Benjamin Franklin: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” underscoring the collective effort to build a “stronger, safer and more prosperous future” for all.

The conference’s primary goal was to promote cutting-edge U.S. technology, innovation, and research to enhance disaster management capabilities. It aimed to expand understanding of contemporary technology and trends in disaster management, to include artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive modeling, remote sensing and satellite monitoring, robotics and augmented reality, crisis mapping, and blockchain for aid distribution.

The conference agenda included a range of insightful presentations and interactive discussions. Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, presented a “Disaster Management Showcase” on the “Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.” The conference also featured two distinguished keynote speakers from MIT:

• The “Risk Reduction through Technology and Design” talk by Prof. Miho Mazereeuw, Director of MIT Climate Mission and Director of Urban Risk Lab, showcased how communities can leverage design and technology to increase resilience against climate risks like flooding, cyclones, heat stress, and seismic disasters. Prof. Mazereeuw leads the Urban Risk Lab which engages in action research through fieldwork and community workshops to embed preparedness in a rapidly urbanizing world. Her forthcoming book, “Design Before Disaster: Japan’s Culture of Preparedness,” is expected in late 2025.
• Dr. Sai Ravela, Principal Research Scientist at MIT’s Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), addressed in his keynote, “Emerging MIT Tech Frontiers of Risk-based Resilience to Extremes in a Changing Climate”, the innovative work in simulation and algorithms for mitigating risks from natural and climate disasters, including AI-driven exposure and vulnerability mapping. Dr. Ravela directs the Earth Signals and Systems Group and his research centers on computational sustainability and climate risk, with a particular emphasis on extreme events. He is recognized for his contributions to coastal risk quantification and advances a new Co-Active Systems Theory to couple models, data, and human insight for environmental stewardship.The conference concluded with two industry panel discussions, featuring representatives from One Bangkok, Honeywell, SCG, McKinsey & Co. and Western Digital.

About MIT ASEAN Initiative

The MIT ASEAN Initiative played a crucial role in co-hosting this inaugural conference. Officially opened on October 30, 2024, the initiative serves as a bridge for action learning, convening activities, and faculty engagement from across MIT to drive economic and social impact throughout the ASEAN region. The idea for this disaster management conference specifically arose after a major earthquake hit Thailand and Myanmar on March 28, 2025, making disaster management a policy priority for Thailand. This partnership brought MIT subject experts together with the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Bangkok local government, and American companies in Thailand to address this critical need.

Contact: U.S. Embassy Bangkok Press Office Email: pressbkk@state.gov

Download Press Materials:
Press release, photos, the Ambassador’s speech and other press materials from the conference are available here.

U.S. and Thailand Co-host Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Workshop in Bangkok to Strengthen Regional Nonproliferation Coordination

The United States and Thailand will co-host a Southeast Asia Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Workshop from August 17-18, 2023, in Bangkok, Thailand.

This multilateral workshop brings together civilian and military leaders from Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, the United States, and Thailand.  During the workshop, participants will examine modern weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation pathways, improve understanding of WMD interdiction obligations, explore legal frameworks and the best practices of partners, and enhance the connections of the “Countering WMD” community in Southeast Asia.  The workshop also includes briefs, including an expert brief on global and regional proliferation threats from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, panel discussions, and a scenario-based tabletop discussion focused on intra-governmental information sharing and decision-making about potential WMD-related proliferation activities in the region.

The PSI was established in 2003 to stop or impede transfers of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials flowing to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. Thus far, more than 100 states have endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles.

Countries that participate in the PSI by endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles make a political commitment to take action to impede or stop, individually or in coordination with other partner states, shipments of WMD-related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern, consistent with domestic and international laws and frameworks.

Message from U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec on the Occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s 71st Birthday, July 28, 2023

On the occasion of the 71st birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the United States Mission to the Kingdom of Thailand offers our most heartfelt congratulations.

Over the past 190 years of diplomatic relations, the United States and Thailand have worked together to promote prosperity, freedom, and security for all our people. We look forward to deepening further the strong friendship between our great nations in the years to come.

We wish His Majesty, the Royal Family, and the Thai people good health and happiness.

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States and Thailand after the third meeting of the United States – Thailand Joint Committee on Science and Technology.

Begin Text:

Today, June 22, 2023, the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand convened in Bangkok for the third Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on science and technology to further strengthen the partnership between our scientific communities.

Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Oceans, and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) Jennifer R. Littlejohn co-chaired the discussion with Associate Professor Pasit Lorterapong, Ph.D, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thailand Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation (MHESI).  Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn applauded the robust 190 years of diplomatic engagement between our two countries and emphasized how science and technology cooperation exemplifies the mutual benefits of U.S.-Thailand collaboration.

JCM topics focused on key science and technology policy and research priorities including energy and climate change mitigation; infectious and non-infectious diseases; biodiversity; agriculture; water; climate change adaptation; STEM education and entrepreneurship; the innovation pipeline; and environmental conservation for the benefit people and economies.

The U.S. delegation comprised leaders and experts from the Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Smithsonian Institution, Center for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. Department of State.  The participating Thai agencies included the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), National Innovation Agency (NIA), National Science Museum Thailand (NSM), Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

The JCM was convened under the bilateral Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, originally signed in 2013 and extended in 2018.

As Secretary of State Blinken and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don reaffirmed through the 2022 U.S.-Thailand Communique on Strategic Alliance and Partnership, the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand have a steadfast commitment to the principles of mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual interest.  The two countries are forged by shared history and common values, and anchored by a collective commitment to build resilient, inclusive democracies and advance human rights.  The third U.S. – Thailand JCM represents reinvigoration of our in-person bilateral dialogues on science and technology cooperation, as we broaden and strengthen our collaboration.  Continued scientific engagement and people-to-people ties between the United States and Thailand will not only propel both economies forward, but also lead toward a more resilient future for all citizens.

The United States and the Kingdom of Thailand prioritize research and development that benefits our citizens and is rooted in a shared commitment to foundational scientific values and principles, including openness, transparency, honesty, equity, fair competition, objectivity, and democratic values.  Both partners work to create inclusive scientific research communities to consider the importance of preserving principles for scientific cooperation, such as promoting the integrity and security of the international scientific enterprise, and to encourage the participation in cooperative activities of researchers and organizations from all sectors.

This JCM reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to continue close partnership and coordination on science and technology cooperation.

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For further information, please contact the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, OES-PA-DG@state.gov.

AFRIMS Celebrates 62 Years of Pioneering Medical Research and Transformative Contributions to Thailand

The Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) proudly commemorates its 62nd anniversary, highlighting its remarkable achievements in medical research and profound impact on public health in Thailand. Celebratory ceremonies held at the Phya Thai Palace and AFRIMS Headquarters brought together distinguished guests, including the Director of The U.S. Army Medical Directorate (USAMD)-AFRIMS and the Director General of Royal Thai Army AFRIMS.

Since 1961, the AFRIMS Thai-U.S. partnership has spearheaded groundbreaking research initiatives and fostered international medical collaboration that has directly benefited the people of Thailand and saved hundreds of millions of global lives. Over the course of the past six decades, AFRIMS has achieved remarkable breakthroughs in infectious disease research, contributing to the prevention and control of diseases that pose significant threats to public health. AFRIMS has played a pivotal role in developing innovative diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies for diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other emerging threats.

AFRIMS has consistently been committed to addressing global health challenges without a profit motive. AFRIMS significantly contributed to the development and integration of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine into the Thai national immunization program, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness through a large-scale efficacy trial involving 65,000 participants. This achievement has significantly reduced Japanese encephalitis cases, preventing countless infections in Thailand and global communities.

In the fight against malaria, AFRIMS has made remarkable strides in the discovery and development of antimalarial drugs and diagnostic devices, resulting in the protection and treatment of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Their advancements, including the FDA approval of the Binax-Now point-of-care rapid diagnostic device for malaria, have revolutionized diagnosis and significantly reduced malaria-related mortality and morbidity.

AFRIMS has conducted groundbreaking research on HIV-AIDS including its RV 144 vaccine trial; the first and only HIV vaccine candidate to successfully reduce the risk of HIV infection in humans. RV 144 was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s “Top 20 Inventions” in 2009 and this breakthrough brings the world one step closer to developing a HIV vaccine that will benefits millions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AFRIMS quickly acquired and validated WHO testing strategies. This helped Thailand play a crucial role in early detection and containment efforts, and helped make Thailand a leader in the fight against COVID-19.

On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of this unique U.S.-Thai partnership in global health, we celebrate AFRIMS’ dedication combating infectious diseases and generating the next generation of Thai scientists.

General Narongpan Jittkaewtae and members of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) general staff will attend the Land Forces of the Pacific (LANPAC) Conference in Oahu, HI from May 15^th through 18^th.  This is GEN Narongpan’s first visit to the United States during his tenure as Chief of the Royal Thai Army.  The RTA delegation will also participate in follow-on visits to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY; the Pentagon; Fort Moore, Georgia; and Joint Base Lewis-McCord, WA.  These engagements will provide GEN Narongpan the opportunity to interact with U.S. Army personnel who routinely conduct training and exchanges with the Royal Thai Army, and further strengthen the U.S.-Thai security alliance.

For more information about LANPAC, please visit: https://meetings.ausa.org/lanpac/2023/attendee_faqs.cfm

Yesterday, tens of millions of people participated in the vote across the Kingdom of Thailand – as election observers, poll workers, members of the media, candidates, and, most importantly, voters.  As a longstanding friend and ally of Thailand, the United States looks forward to the final results.

Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand 2023 (CARAT Thailand 23) will take place ashore in Sattahip, Thailand, and at-sea in the gulf of Thailand, May 8-15, 2023. CARAT Thailand 23 is a bilateral exercise between Thailand and the United States which promotes regional security cooperation, maintains and strengthens maritime partnerships, and enhances maritime interoperability between our navies. This year marks the 29th iteration of the multinational CARAT exercise series, which is designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.