Ladda Tammy Duckworth, the first Thai-American US congresswoman, vowed to fortify ties between Thailand and America during a public lecture on US foreign policy yesterday at Chulalongkorn University.
The Illinois Democrat, born in Thailand to an American father and a Thai mother, said that she was proud to be half Thai and half American and would do anything in her power to boost the bilateral relations.
Duckworth also voiced her opinions on a wide range of heated issues, from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, Edward Snowden, same-sex marriage to the US’s stance on Syria’s civil war. Regarding Syria, she did not favor a US intervention in the Middle Eastern nation.
The Iraq war veteran met with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Government House and was subsequently asked by reporters if she had any advice for Thai politicians.
“No. No. No. I have been in Congress for seven months and am still learning,” answered Duckworth. “I dare not suggest anyone.”
During her weeklong visit to Thailand, Tammy is scheduled to meet HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirndhorn today and to visit the ancient capital Ayutthaya this weekend.
