Amara Rai Appointed Chairperson of ANO Thailand Committee

March 29, Kathmandu – Amara Rai, a fifth-generation Thai-born individual, has been elected as the chairperson of the Association of Nepali Origin (ANO) Thailand Committee, an organization representing Nepali-origin citizens worldwide. The event took place on Sunday, March 29, in Bangkok, with the participation of Nepalese who were born in Thailand and those who have resided in Thailand and Burma for generations.

At the program, Nepal’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dhan Bahadur Oli, expressed his confidence that ANO’s efforts to preserve and transmit Nepali art, culture, language, and traditions among people of Nepali origin will bring positive results. He also recommended cooperating with local Nepali organizations to advance work in promoting the Nepali language and cultural heritage.

ANO General Secretary Chudamani Bhattarai announced that, following ANO’s request, the Nepalese government has arranged for Nepali-origin individuals arriving in Nepal to no longer have to wait in foreigner lines at the airport. Professor Dr. Mohan Dangi from California State University appreciated ANO’s agenda for expanding the sense of Nepali identity.

Dr. Khagendra Dhakal, Chairperson of Nepal Policy Institute and a professor based in Bangkok, expressed happiness that, unlike the Non-Resident Nepali Association which includes only up to three generations of Nepali, ANO serves as an organization inclusive of Nepalis beyond that lineage. The event also included the presence of ANO Board of Trustees member Vatsana Rai and Central Executive Committee member Raj Karmacharya. Under Amara Rai’s leadership, the ANO Thailand National Committee includes Milan Ghimire, Naresh Pandey, Sonia Rai, Amy Rai, Basanti Pradhan, Deepa Paudel, Asmita Nyaupane, Suman Karki, and Vicky Sinchuri.