The Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York Organised Mobile Consular Services and Meeting with the Thai Communities in Massachusetts and Maine

From September 10 to 13, 2024, Miss Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General of Thailand, along with Consuls Athikom Daengpun and Katesuda Thongna, and a dedicated team from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York, successfully conducted the fourth Mobile Consular Service of the year. The service was held in Massachusetts (from September 10 to 12) and Maine (on September 13), bringing essential consular services to Thai nationals residing in both states and surrounding areas. The services provided included passport applications, ID card renewals, signature legalizations, birth and death certificate registrations, and visa-related consultations. A total of 291 services were rendered. Moreover, Mr. Threeracht Songtachalert, Honorary Vice Consul in Boston, assisted in facilitating the event at Wat Nawamintararachutis (NMR Buddhist Meditation Center).

During this visit, Consul General Somjai held a warm meeting with representatives of the Thai communities in both states. She emphasized the importance of their roles in sharing news and announcements from the Consulate, as well as offering initial advice to fellow Thais seeking consular services and assistance. The Consul General and her delegation also paid respects to Phra Bhavanawachirawidesa V., the Head Monk of Wat Nawamintararachutis, and discussed the temple's and Sunday school's upcoming activities. They addressed challenges in recruiting personnel for the Volunteer Teacher Program of the Center for the Promotion of Thai Language and Culture at Buddhist monasteries in the U.S., a program under the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University. Later, in Maine, the Consul General met with members of the Thai community and visited local Thai-owned businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores. Although smaller in size compared to other areas, the Thai community in Maine is close-knit, with a strong sense of unity and mutual support, serving as an excellent model of a Thai community abroad.