The First Presidency and Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed Suriya Chhindawongse, the Thai Ambassador to the United States, to Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 20.
On March 20, ChurchofJesusChrist.org reported that President Dallin H. Oaks and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson, welcomed the ambassador, who was also attended by Elder Gerald Kose of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and members of the Kingdom of Thailand, Nitya Sakluenyong and Pemikar Ruthananon. Embassy in Washington DC
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and representatives of the Thai Embassy in the United States pause for a photo during a meeting at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City, Friday, March 20, 2025. Front row, left to right: President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency; Suriya Chindawongse, Thai Ambassador to the United States. Church President Dallin H. Oaks. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Back row, left to right: Mr. Pemikar Ruthananon of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC; Elder Gerald Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ms. Nitya Sakruenyong of the Royal Thai Embassy. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church leaders and Suriya discussed shared values of education, family, and service, and reflected on the positive impact of recent humanitarian cooperation between the Church and the Kingdom of Thailand.
These collaborations include a 2025 initiative with the Information Technology Foundation and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, which will provide computers and educational technology to schools and educational institutions across the country. Last year, the church donated neonatal resuscitators and neonatal warmers to more than 20 hospitals in Thailand, continuing a 20-year collaboration with the Neonatal Association of Thailand to improve newborn care.
President Dallin H. Oaks (center left) speaks with Thai Ambassador to the United States Suriya Chindawongse on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In 2025, the Light the World Giving Machine kiosk debuted in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition to the option to donate to global charities, the Bangkok kiosk also included local Thai charities.
ChurchofJesusChrist.org reported that Suriya’s trip to Utah also included academic, government, and institutional engagements aimed at strengthening relationships and fostering dialogue.
According to the history of the Thai Church, the first Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in Bangkok in 1854 and stayed for four months. In the 1960s, Latter-day Saint families living abroad began to gather together, the first Thai converts were baptized, and the first missionaries assigned to preach in Thai arrived in Bangkok. The first meetinghouse was dedicated in 1974, and the Book of Mormon was published in Thai in 1976. The first stake was established in 1995. The late President of the Church Russell M. Nelson visited Thailand in 2018 during his World Service mission.
According to the latest figures available, there are more than 24,000 Church members in 43 wards and branches in Thailand. The Bangkok Thailand Temple was dedicated in 2023.
President Dallin H. Oaks (right) speaks with Thai Ambassador to the United States Suriya Chindawongse on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks with Thai Ambassador to the United States Suriya Chindawongse on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, meets Suriya Chindawongse, Thai Ambassador to the United States, on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Gerald Kose of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks with Suriya Chindawongse, Thailand’s ambassador to the United States, on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Thai Ambassador to the United States Suriya Chindawongse speaks with President Dallin H. Oaks on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
On Friday, March 20, 2026, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Suriya Chhindawongse, Thailand’s Ambassador to the United States, at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City. | Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
