U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai Dedication Ceremony

January 23

United States Dedicates New, State-of-the-Art Consulate General Building in Chiang Mai.
H.E. Sean K. O’Neill, U. S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, along with Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas welcomed guests to the Dedication Ceremony.
Guests of honour included H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chiang Mai Governor Rattanaphon Naradisorn (along with many other Provincial Governors) and Mayor of Chiang Mai Assanee Buranupakorn.
Consul General to Chiang Mai Kelia Cummins held a press conference prior to the Decication Ceremony. She explained the new offices serves every year more than 21000 U.S. Residents living in the northern region of Thailand, along with Thai citizens seeking consulate services including visas. With the new building these services can be provided more safely, efficiently and effectively. The new Consulate General in Chiang Mai provides greater opportunity to collaborate with local businesses, universities and entrepreneurs to do things like foster trade and to develop innovation and technology.
In the press conference the Consul General answered many questions put forward by the local media. Among those questions: How does the new Consulate General plan to strengthen people to people relations between Americans and local communities? In reply Kelia Cummins explained “for more than 75 years the U.S. Consulate General has worked side by side with Thai partners to strengthen security, to ensure the safety of both our countries citizens and foster shared prosperity” She went on to explain that whilst the old Consulate buildings are beautiful and historic they lack many of the facilities of a modern office building. The Consulate General in Chiang Mai employes approx. 100 American and Thai staff. The new building enables the consulate in facilitating co-operation with Thailand transnational organized crime which is a major issue, support trade and investment which creates opportunities for both countries.
The building construction started in 2020; employed over 1400 temporary workers and cost 273 million U.S. Dollars.
For further details check out Citylife tomorrow!