On 17 August 2026, H.E. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with the U.S. Congressional delegation, comprising Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) and Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA), together with Ms. Tami Overby, Vice President of the U.S.-Asia Institute, on the occasion of the visit of the U.S. Congressional delegation to Thailand from 15–20 August 2026 at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The Vice Minister welcomed the U.S. Members of Congress, who visited Thailand for the first time, stressing that Thailand attaches importance to the role of the U.S. Congress in strengthening the longstanding alliance and strategic partnership between Thailand and the U.S. at bilateral as well as regional and international levels.

The U.S. Members of Congress expressed appreciation for the warm welcome by the Thai side and were pleased to pay a visit to gain a better understanding of Thailand and discuss ways to deepen the Thai-U.S. alliance and partnership in view of the changing international landscape.

Both sides exchanged views on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between Thailand and the U.S. The Vice Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s determination to conclude trade negotiations with the U.S. at the earliest opportunity and to promote a more balanced economic partnership, as well as to enhance cooperation on combating transnational crimes and online scam networks in Southeast Asia. Both sides also exchanged views on key regional developments, including the Thailand-Cambodia situation.

The Congressional delegation also met with other high-level officials and representatives of various sectors, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Minister of Industry, Thai Trade Representative, Vice Minister for Commerce, Vice Minister for Finance, Permanent Secretary for Defence, Deputy Police Commissioner-General, Governor of Bangkok, as well as Thai academics, representatives of the Thai and U.S. private sectors, representatives of civil society organizations who work on issues related to combating human trafficking and protection of women and children, and representatives of the Anti-Cyber Scam Center.