Amara Rai, a fifth-generation Nepali born in Thailand, has been elected as the chairperson of the Association of Nepali Origin (ANO) Thailand Committee.

A program organized in Bangkok last Sunday afternoon was attended by Nepalis born in Thailand and living in Thailand and Burma for generations. 

The program, which was completed in three phases including discussions with local Nepalis, Nepali cultural performances, and committee formation, expressed confidence that ANO's campaign to pass on Nepali art, culture, language, and traditions to people of Nepali origin would bring positive results. 

He suggested taking forward the work of Nepali language and culture in collaboration with local Nepali organizations. ANO General Secretary Chudamani Bhattarai accepted ANO's application and informed that the Nepali government has made arrangements so that any person of Nepali origin traveling to Nepal will no longer have to wait in the queue of foreigners at the airport. 

He thanked the Nepali government for making separate arrangements for Nepalese people from all over the world so that they do not have to stand in the queue of foreigners when they reach their motherland. The program discussed the government's first-ever address to foreign citizens of Nepali origin.

California State University Professor Dr. Mohan Dangi said that he was touched by the agenda of expanding Nepaliness.

Nepal Policy Institute President Dr. Khagendra Dhakal, who is based in Bangkok, expressed happiness that ANO has come as an organization to include Nepalis outside of that generation, as the Non-Resident Nepali Association only includes Nepalis within the 3rd generation. Binod Lamichhane, Vice President of Thai Nepali Association, felt that it would have been better if there had been prior information about the program.