On 27 June 2026, Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to Washington DC and Ms. Bacharee Puengpak, Consul-General in Chicago co-hosted a dinner reception for representatives of Thai Communities in Chicago, Illinois, and in Minnesota at Amarit Thai Restaurant, Chicago. The Ambassador extended his greetings to the Thai Communities and commended their contribution in strengthening the ties between Thailand and the United States as well as expressed the readiness to support the Thai Communities in all aspects. On the same occasion, the Ambassador and Consul-General also co-hosted a dinner reception for Khon performers from the Office of Performing Arts, Fine Arts Department of Thailand and from Bunditpatanasilpa Institute of Thailand, along with Thai music teachers from Thailand and from various U.S. states who took part in the Khon performance to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wat Buddha-Dhamma in Willowbrook, Illinois.