Registration Open

Please check in at the Registration Table.

Breakfast

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Pisan Manawapat

Networking Break

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Substantive Sessions #1 (Concurrent)

Government and Politics

Panel Chairs:

• Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell, Thai Community Development Center

• Christopher T. Sukhaphadhana, Esq., Thai American Bar Association

Panel Moderator:

S. Floyd Mori, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies

Panelists:

• Gorpat (Henry) Charoen, Centralia School District

• Judy Chu, U.S. House of Representatives

• Mike Eng, Esq., Los Angeles Community College District

• Dennise Willett, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice

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Community

Panel Chair:

Panida Rzonca, Esq., Thai Community Development Center

Moderator:

Thelma Gutierrez, Cinco Mujeres Productions

Panelists:

• Rotjanee (Daphne) Larsen, ThaInitiatiive

• Wanda Pathomrit, Thai Community Development Center

• Jee Suthamwanthanee, Asian Women’s Shelter

Networking Break

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Substantive Sessions #2 (Concurrent)

Professional Organizations

Panel Chair and Moderator:

Christopher T. Sukhaphadhana, Esq., Thai American Bar Association

Panelists:

• Wanpracha (Art) Chaovalitwongse, Ph.D., Association of Thai Professionals in America and Canada

• S. Chris Malaisrie, M.D., Thai Physicians Association of America

• Juthamas (Judy) Suwatanapongched, Esq., Thai American Bar Association

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Academia: "The More We Know"

This interactive roundtable discussion will introduce the value and purpose of pursuing an academic career in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The three panelists represent different disciplines, yet all do research that directly benefit the Thai community. The panelists hope that the Thai and Thai-American leaders and future leaders will participate in our lively discussion about the world of academic research, the ways academic research can improve our community, and future directions for the next generation of Thai academics in the United States.  

Panel Chair and Moderator:

Kanjana Thepboriruk, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University

Panelists:

• Jenny Ungpha Korn, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Varisa Patraporn, Ph.D., California State University, Long Beach

Networking Break

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Lunch

Keynote Speaker: Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell, Thai Community Development Center

  "History of Thai Americans"

Networking Break

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Substantive Sessions #3 (Concurrent)

Arts and Entertainment

Panel Chair and Moderator:

Prince Gomolvilas, East West Players

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Panelists:

• Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Fox Television Studios

• Arut Tantasirin, Nickelodeon Animation Studio

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Business

Panel Chair and Moderator:

Phaitoon Sarujikamjornwattana, Thai Association of Southern California

Panelists:

• Polthep Inturart, Thai American Chamber of Commerce of California

• Tim Sher, HC Foods

• Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong, Jitlada Restaurant

• Ron Fong, Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program.

Networking Break

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Substantive Sessions #4 (Concurrent)

Leadership Training

Session Chair:​​

Phaitoon Sarujikamjornwattana, Thai Association of Southern California

Session Moderator:

Linda Akutagawa, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics

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Religion

Panel Chair and Moderator:

Walaipan Kesthong, Thai Association of Southern California

Panelists:

• Rev. Pongtep Chutimapongrat, Thai Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and Thai Hollywood Lutheran Church

• Chao Khun Pra Vithesdhammawongse, Wat Thai of Los Angeles

• Haj Rahmat Phyome Phyakul, Masjid Al Fatiha of America