On 3 August 2023, H.E. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand met with the United States Congressional delegation, led by Congressman Jason Smith (R-Missouri), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, during the delegation’s visit to Thailand during 2-3 August 2023. Joining the U.S. Congressional delegation were (1) Congressman Greg Murphy (R-North Carolina) (2) Congresswoman Michelle Steel (R-California) (3) Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York) (4) Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) (5) Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) (6) Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-Kentucky) and (7) Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-New York).

The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen Thailand-U.S. strategic partnership, particularly the relationships with the U.S. legislative branch. During the discussion, both sides underscored the importance of the long-standing alliance and the diplomatic relations between the two countries, which mark the 190th anniversary this year. They also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of common priorities, such as promoting more trade and investment, exploring trade opportunities in agricultural products, enhancing supply chain resilience, ensuring energy security, combatting transnational crimes, and concretising cooperation under the existing frameworks, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). In addition, both sides enchanged views on key regional developments, including the situation in Myanmar.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed thanks and presented a certificate of appreciation to Congresswoman Michelle Steel for her leading role in establishing and co-chairing the U.S.-Thai Alliance Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Caucus will serve as a platform to support Thailand-U.S. cooperation and issues beneficial to the Thai communities in the U.S.

Following the discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs hosted the luncheon in honour of the U.S. Congressional Delegation. The luncheon was attended by high-level representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade of Thailand, Federation of Thai Industries, American Chamber of Commerce, as well as Thai and American businesses. The participants exchanged views on promoting and expanding Thailand-U.S. trade and investment, as well as enhancing cooperation in areas of common interests at both bilateral and regional levels for the mutual benefits of both countries.