On 27 April 2013, Consul General Jesda Katavetin gave opening remarks at the Thai-Lao New Year Festival 2013 in Las Vegas at Cannery Casino Hotel. His remarks stressed the friendship and brotherhood of Thai and Lao communities that are closely knitted and intertwined no matter where they are.

The Royal Thai Consulate General in Los Angeles also presented an exhibition to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Thai-American relations in 2013 at the festival.