On 5 April 2014, Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, attended and delivered remarks at a reception on the occasion of the 11th Thai New Year Songkran Festival at the residence of the Thai Consul-General in Los Angeles.In his remarks, Ambassador Vijavat expressed his appreciation to everyone involved in organizing the 11th Thai New Year Songkran Festival, including the festival’s organizers and sponsors as well as all members of the Thai community in the area, for their hard work and dedication in making the Festival a success. The Thai New Year Songkran Festival is organized annually along Hollywood Boulevard in Thai Town, the only Thai Town in the world, which was officially established by the local government of the City of Los Angeles.The reception was attended by several invited guests including Mr. Jumpol Sumpaopol, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Pipat Lapprattana, Chairman of Bangkok Metropolitan Council, Mr. Chaiyong Satjipanon, Former Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, singers and dancers from Bangkok, as well as organizers of the 11th Thai New Year Songkran Festival. Mr. Tom LaBonge, Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 4th district also joined the reception.

On 6 April 2014 Mr. VijavatIsarabhakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, attended and delivered opening remarks at the 11^th Thai New Year Songkran Festival in Thai Town, Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, together with Mr. JumpolSumpaopol, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. PipatLapprattana, Chairman of Bangkok Metropolitan Council, Mr. JessadaKatavetin, ConsulGeneral in Los Angeles, sponsors and organizers of the festival.  Also attending were representatives from the State of California and City of Los Angeles including Mr. Adam Schiff, Member of Congress representing the 28^th congressional district of California, as well as Mr. Tom LaBonge, Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 4^thdistrictand Mr. Mitch O’ Farrell, Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 3^thdistrict.

In his remarks, Ambassador Vijavat emphasized the importance of the 11^th Thai New Year Songkran Festival not only in helping to promote Thai culture and tradition, but also as the first Thai New Year Songkran Festival to be held after Bangkok and Los Angeles established a Friendship Cities relationship on 27 May 2013.This festival could therefore be seen as a symbol of close cooperation and cordial relations between the cities and the peoples of Bangkok and Los Angeles, as well as a long standing friendship between Thailand and the United States that has continuedfor more than 180 years.