Ambassador and Mrs. Eric John Make Merit in Honor of 175 Years of U.S.-Thai Friendship
The morning of March 20, 2008, Ambassador and Mrs. Eric John, along with senior officials and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in a special merit-making ceremony in honor of 175 years U.S.-Thai friendship held at Wat Pathum Wanaram, one of the royal temples in Bangkok. During the very special ceremony, which is in keeping with the Thai Buddhist tradition of making merit on auspicious days, nine monks chanted blessings to honor the day on which 175 years ago the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Thailand was signed, as well as to bless the deep and enduring relationship between our two countries. Other Embassy guests in attendance included Deputy Chief of Mission James Entwistle, Counselor for Public Affairs Anne S. Casper, Counselor for Political Affairs Susan Sutton, and Mr. Vichai Kiyapathya from the Narcotics Affairs Section, who is the longest serving Thai Foreign Service National at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
