U.S. Ambassador Eric G. John and Mrs. Sophia John welcomed members of the Seri Thai, or Free Thai movement, to the U.S. Ambassador’s residence for a luncheon in their honor and to commemorate 175 years of U.S.-Thai friendship. The Seri Thai, an underground resistance movement that fought on the side of the Allies during World War II, played a crucial role in safeguarding Thailand’s democracy and securing freedom for all Thais. During the May 9 luncheon, Ambassador John honored “the brave men and women who relinquished the comfort of their civilian lives, interrupted their education at the finest American universities, and voluntarily risked everything to preserve freedom for their countrymen and for the world.”