Bangkok City Hall
173 Dinso Road
Bangkok 10200
Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge arrived on Friday May 24, 2013 in Bangkok. His mission was to continue and solidify a friendship agreement that began last year with a trip from the Bangkok Metropolitan Council President who traveled to Los Angeles. During that trip, Tom LaBonge signed a declaration of intent to begin the process of making the two cities Friendship Cities. Tom LaBonge’s trip to Bangkok marks a monumental occasion as both cities have now recognized the friendship that exists between the two cities that share the same name, City of Angels. The Friendship Cities was signed between Tom LaBonge and the new Bangkok Metropolitan Council President Pipat Lapprattana. Tom LaBonge’s appreciation of having both the former and current Metropolitan Council Presidents present recognized the efforts involved with making this occasion possible and highlighted the relationship created by the former council president and continued with the current president.
The largest population of Thais outside of Thailand make their home in Los Angeles. The Friendship Cities signing recognizes the positive impact that Thais have made in their new home and how that contribution has created an occasion to recognize the peoples of both cities. The Friendship Cities signing not only recognizes the strong bond between the two cities but also helps mark the 180 years of friendship between the two countries.
Tom LaBonge’s trip to Bangkok also included a courtesy call with the Governor of Bangkok, Suhumbhand Paribatra, where they discussed future plans to make the two cities Sister Cities. The following day he made his way to the Thailand Cultural Center to discuss potential investment opportunities in the world’s only Thai Town that exists in Los Angeles. The investment meeting was facilitated by the Thai Community Development Center from Los Angeles. Potential investors learned from Tom LaBonge, Tom Gilmore, the developer of downtown Los Angeles, Norman Arikawa, from the Port Authority of Los Angeles and the Thai Community Development Center about the unique opportunities that exists in Thai Town.
Wednesday, May 29, the last day of the American delegation’s activities, included a Hike for Health with Tom LaBonge, Chairman of Bangkok Metropolitan Council Pipat Lappratana and Suanlumpinee School students. The day concluded with a tree planting with Chairman of Bangkok Metropolitan Council and Tom LaBonge at Lumpini Park.
