III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 485 

Expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the commemoration of the 

190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States 

and the Kingdom of Thailand. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 5, 2023 

Mr. COTTON (for himself, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. SULLIVAN, and Ms. 

DUCKWORTH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the commemoration of the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations 

between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand. 

Whereas 2023 marks the 190th anniversary of the March 20, 

1833, signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand 

(formerly known as Siam), which initiated diplomatic relations between the 2 countries during the administration 

of President Andrew Jackson and the reign of King 

Rama III; 

Whereas Thailand was the first treaty ally of the United 

States in the Asia-Pacific region and remains a steadfast 

friend of the United States; 


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•SRES 485 IS 

Whereas Thailand has supported the United States through 

periods of both adversity and prosperity for the 2 countries; 

Whereas, in December 2003, the United States designated 

Thailand as a major non-NATO ally, which improved the 

security of both countries, particularly by facilitating 

joint counterterrorism efforts; 

Whereas, for more than 40 years, Thailand has been the host 

country of Cobra Gold, the United States Indo-Pacific 

Command’s annual multinational military training exercise, which is designed to ensure regional peace and promote regional security cooperation; 

Whereas the United States hosted the inaugural ThailandUnited States Strategic and Defense Dialogue in Washington, DC, from May 9 to 10, 2022, to enhance all aspects of the United States-Thailand strategic partnership, ranging from enhancing political and security cooperation and strengthening economic partnerships, to 

upholding democracy and respect for human rights, deepening people-to-people ties, and promoting a peaceful and 

stable environment conducive to recovery from COVID– 

19; 

Whereas the President of the United States welcomed the 

Prime Minister of Thailand to the White House in May 

2022 for the first-ever Association of Southeast Asian 

Nations (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘ASEAN’’) summit in Washington, DC, to reaffirm the importance of the 

enduring partnership between the United States and the 

nations of Southeast Asia and to discuss their shared 

commitment to promoting peace, security, and prosperity 

in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond; 


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•SRES 485 IS 

Whereas the United States Secretary of State met with the 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand in Bangkok, 

Thailand, on July 10, 2022, to further enhance the 

United States-Thailand strategic alliance and partnership 

as well as to promote closer cooperation based on shared 

values and mutual benefits; 

Whereas Thailand and the United States signed the United 

States-Thailand Communique ́ on Strategic Alliance and 

Partnership on July 10, 2022, to enhance our strategic 

alliance and partnership, as well as strengthen cooperation on economic prosperity, defense and security, democracy and human rights, humanitarian assistance, global 

public health advancement, people-to-people ties, as well 

as environmental protection, law enforcement, and technology and cybersecurity, both bilaterally and in regional 

fora; 

Whereas Thailand and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting supply chain resilience on July 10, 2022; 

Whereas the Vice President of the United States visited Thailand in November 2022 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting to 

strengthen the partnership between the United States 

and Thailand and to reaffirm the United States commitment to the Mekong subregion; 

Whereas Thailand is a valued trading partner of the United 

States, with bilateral trade totaling approximately 

$74,000,000,000 per year; 

Whereas bilateral investment has reached over 

$13,000,000,000; 


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•SRES 485 IS 

Whereas the United States is among the first development 

partners of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, an economic framework initiated by Thailand in 2003, with an aim to reduce economic development gaps and promote sustainable growth 

in the Mekong subregion; 

Whereas the United States has launched the Mekong-US 

Partnership in 2020, building on the Lower Mekong Initiative, which was established in 2009, to enhance cooperation in the areas of economic connectivity, energy 

security, human capital development, transboundary 

water and natural resources management, and nontraditional security among the Mekong countries; 

Whereas Thailand is one of the founding members of the 

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework; 

Whereas the United States and Thailand closely collaborate 

on science and technology and innovation and education 

through high-level engagements, including, among others, 

the Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology, 

the Thailand-United States Space Dialogue in Thailand, 

and the Fulbright Thailand Program which is a binational program for academic exchanges between Thailand 

and the United States; 

Whereas more than 300,000 people of Thai descent live in 

the United States, joining in the pursuit of the American 

Dream; 

Whereas Thailand continues to be a friend to the United 

States and strives to lead Southeast Asia to a new level 

of economic prosperity and accomplishment; 

Whereas for decades Thailand has continued to provide refuge for displaced populations, including people escaping 


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•SRES 485 IS 

war and political repression in countries throughout 

Southeast Asia and the broader region; 

Whereas Thailand has played a leading role in the development of the ASEAN, which serves as a valued partner in 

Asia for the United States; and 

Whereas the President of the United States launched the 

United States-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on November 12, 2022: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) commemorates the 190th anniversary of 

3 diplomatic relations and enduring alliance between 

4 the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand; 

5 (2) reaffirms the commitment of the United 

6 States to a strong alliance with Thailand, based on 

7 shared values and strategic interests; and 

8 (3) looks forward to further enhancing the en9 during ties of friendship between the peoples of 

10 Thailand and the United States, with the under11 standing that strong democratic institutions, inde12 pendent civil society, and free and fair elections are 

13 central to the shared vision of an Indo-Pacific region 

14 that is free and open. 

Æ 


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