Samakkee Summit 2016: Los Angeles

THEME

“Inspiring Thai American Leadershi​​p"

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Agenda and Speakers
 

Empress Pavilion / NOBO

Friday, August 26, 2016

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2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

By Invite Only

Thai Samakkee Organization Caucus

Royal Thai Consulate General - Los Angeles

611 North Larchmont Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90004

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6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Open to All Samakkee Summit Attendees

Please check in at the Registration Table.

Opening Reception

Consul General’s Residence  

621 Lorraine Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90005

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8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Late Night Activities/Evening in Los Angeles

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Empress Pavilion

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration Open

Please check in at the Registration Table.

 

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Breakfast

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Pisan Manawapat

 

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Networking Break

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10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

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

 

11:15AM - 11:30 AM

Networking Break

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11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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

 

12:30 PM - 12:45 PM

Networking Break

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12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Lunch

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

  "History of Thai Americans"

 

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Networking Break

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2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

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.

 

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Networking Break

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3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

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

 

NOBO

835 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Closing Reception

Keynote Speaker: California State Treasurer John Chiang

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Entertainment: Nop Ponchamni

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10:00 PM - Midnight

Late Night Activities/Evening in Los Angeles

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Empress Pavilion / NOBO

Sunday, August 28, 2016

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8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

No-Host Farewell Breakfast

Siam Sunset ­-Thai Town

5265 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90027

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(Not included in Registration Fee)

 

10:00 AM - Noon

Tour of Thai Town

Hollywood Boulevard & Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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Making Thai Town a Cultural Destination as an Economic Development Tool

Tour Provided Compliments of the Thai Community Development Center (Free)

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The tour will take participants through Thai Town which received an official municipal designation on October 27, 1999 after a seven year long protracted campaign by the Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC).  The Thai CDC will discuss how sustainable cultural tourism can serve as a vehicle for economic development and revitalize what was once a depressed section of Hollywood that continues to be predominantly low-income and multi-ethnic.  Thai Town economically integrated immigrants by providing critical access to mainstream economic opportunities through jobs, housing, and micro-enterprises.

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The tour will also enhance and enliven the participants' experience to Thai Town while celebrating the Thai community's heritage and promoting the contributions of Thai immigrants to the local economy and the social and cultural fabric of this multicultural city.  Focusing on quality and authenticity, participants will receive a presentation on the history of Thai Town followed by a walking tour to a Thai market, a Brahmin alter, and a magical boutique that will transport participants to Thailand's hill tribe village with the tribe's colorful handmade textiles, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. 

 

Then participants will be taken to Bahn Kanom Thai (House of Thai Desserts) for some dessert demonstration and tasting.  For some pampering, participants can visit a local Thai spa to receive a  traditional Thai message known as a healing art that combines gentle stretching with massage of the muscles, tendons, pressure points and meridians.  Participants can then take in lunch at any of the authentic Thai restaurants and cafes in Thai Town following the tour.  Thai CDC can inform participants of the specialties found nowhere else but in Thai Town offered by each eatery.