On April 15, 2026, Mr. Varapol Chensavasdijai, Deputy Consul-General, attended the Songkran Festival hosted by the Thai Student Association (ThaiSA) at the College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Illinois.

The celebration featured an introduction to the history and cultural significance of Songkran in Thailand, followed by performances of traditional Thai music and dance by volunteer teachers from Wat Dhammaram. Guests also enjoyed a variety of Thai cuisine. As part of the festivities, attendees participated in the traditional water-pouring ceremony.

The Royal Thai Consulate-General supported the event under the “Enhancing Thai Student Activities in the Midwest 2026” program. In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Chicago Office, provided decorative items and promotional materials on Thai tourism in support of the students’ activities.