The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok celebrated 10 years of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program on September 22, 2016 with a reception hosted by Ambassador Glyn Davies. This popular exchange program sends over 900 high-school students from around the world annually to spend a year in the U.S., studying in American high schools. During the reception, YES alumni shared their memories of the U.S. and talked about their academic and professional successes in Thailand since their return. The reception also recognized five Americans who are studying in Thailand through the YES Abroad program. They are currently studying in Thai high schools across the country.

There are nearly 200 YES alumni from Thailand, many of whom are involved in numerous community service projects, like organizing and leading local trainings and workshops, as well as helping to recruit and select future generations of YES.