Statement by Secretary Antony J. Blinken

Thailand New Year – Songkran

On behalf of the Government and people of the United States of America, I wish the people of the Kingdom of Thailand a peaceful and prosperous new year ahead on the occasion of Songkran.

This year, I am especially delighted to join the Thai people in celebrating the holiday’s recent designation as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The designation highlights just one of many cultural treasures Thailand and its people have shared with the world.

I am proud of what we have accomplished over the past year to strengthen the enduring U.S.-Thai alliance. We were honored to receive His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana for the opening of the “Weaving Our Stories” exhibition at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, culminating our year-long celebration of the 190th anniversary of U.S.-Thai bilateral ties. We established new academic partnerships and enhanced existing relationships that will benefit tens of thousands of Thai and U.S. students. And as we welcomed a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, an increase in high-level engagements opened additional paths toward strengthened cooperation on trade and investment, security, humanitarian assistance, climate change, and a range of regional and global challenges.

In the year ahead, we look forward to realizing these opportunities. Our alliance and partnership with Thailand will enable us to achieve a stable, thriving, prosperous, and innovative Indo-Pacific region that benefits the people of Thailand and of the United States.

We wish the people of the Kingdom of Thailand a joyous New Year.