On 28 February 2013, Dr. ChaiyongSatjipanon, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, hosted a reception for former and current Congressional Chiefs of Staff at the Royal Thai Embassy.  The reception was part of the Embassy's outreach programs with the U.S. Congress. It was also an occasion to celebrate the 180 years of friendship between Thailand and the United States, as well as to recognize the important role of the U.S. Congress in enhancing the partnership between the two countries and peoples.  Also invited to join the reception were ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from the ASEAN Embassies in Washington, thereby underscoring ASEAN's engagement and its willingness to work closely with the U.S. Congress.