Remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Eric G. John Reception in Honor of U.S. Independence Day
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Intercontinental Hotel
Bangkok, Thailand
[As Prepared for Delivery]
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
This is the 175th Fourth of July that Americans have been able to celebrate here in Bangkok since we established diplomatic relations between our two nations in 1833.
Tonight, Americans mark two hundred and thirty two years of our experiment with democracy. I think it is fitting that we do so with our Thai allies, who, with last December’s elections, also are back in the laboratory of democracy.
On a personal note, my family and I are excited to return to Bangkok to live for a second time. Our son, Adam, was born here. All of us have continued to visit Thailand over the years. In our diplomatic postings overseas, my wife Sophia also has prepared not only American food for our guests, but also Thai food. In many ways, we feel that we’ve never left Thailand, as the spirit of the country has remained with us. I can think of no better posting in which to represent the United States, and I know that everyone at the Embassy shares that feeling. We are honored to have the mission of strengthening ties between our two great nations.
(Toast to the King of Thailand following the playing of the Thai National Anthem.)
(Toast to the President of the United States of America following the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner.”)