About 4,000 Thai Saints gathered at the Queen Sirikit Conference Center in Bangkok on Friday evening April 20, for a devotional with President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Bangkok was the sixth stop on President Nelson's around the world trip to visit with Latter-day Saints. This was the second visit of a Church President to Bangkok, the first was the visit of Gordon B. Hinckley in June of 2000.

Remarking how he had visited Thailand in his role as a medical doctor in 1966, President Nelson said how he was impressed by the growth of the Church in Asia in the past fifty years. As a member of the quorum of twelve Apostles Elder Nelson accompanied Elder Neal A. Maxwell to visit with the Saints in Bangkok in June, 1992.

President Nelson spoke of the blessings of the temple and his visit to the site of the Bangkok Thailand Temple on New Petchaburi Road, adding, " We had a very special feeling", President Nelson said “These people are energized. They are inspired. They want to do something about their faith. They are going to get ready for their temple.” President Nelson challenged the people to prepare now to attend the new temple when it is complete saying, “I bless you with love at home, success in your work, and joy in your hearts as you prepare for the temple of the Lord here in this sacred country.” 

In his remarks Elder Holland offered the following “I wish that every missionary who has ever served in Thailand could be here tonight, especially those in the early years when there were virtually no members and little tiny branches, very few who really knew the language,” expressed Elder Holland. “And now this, with a broadcast in Laos and Myanmar—the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You are a stunning sight.” That statement was touching to many of us who had served as missionaries in Thailand.

Elder Wisit Khanakham, an Area Seventy, said members feel “absolutely excited, delighted and so happy,” about the new temple. "The temple is the symbol of righteousness that shines the light of Christ to the nation,” he said.

Friday's date of the Bangkok member meeting had a special significance for Larry R. White, reached by phone in Salt Lake City. Called to labor in the Southern Far East Mission, White was one of six young missionaries sent to Thailand in 1968. Their mission president told them “to learn the language and get the church started.”

On April 20, 1968, 50 years ago to the day of President Nelson’s visit — the missionaries knocked on the door of Srilaksana Suntarahut. She was baptized on July 4, 1968, only a few months after the first missionaries arrived in the country. “Her testimony came powerfully, after reading just a few verses, from the English Book of Mormon,” recalled White, who presided over the Thailand Bangkok Mission from 1991 to 1994. Ultimately, Suntarahut, who died in 2013, became the primary translator of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price into Thai.

The artistic rendering features a majestic 44,405-square-foot, six-story temple with nine spires, four across the front and back and the large center spire, with Moroni appropriately facing east. Behind the temple will be an auxiliary building of 91,370 square feet that will include two religious meetinghouses, a service center, seminary and institute facilities and mission offices along with patron housing. Substantial underground parking will also be incorporated. The engineering for such parking in a city with a very high water-table will be a bit of a challenge and add additional months to the construction project.

During his visit in June 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley promised a temple in Thailand at a future date. President Nelson will speak in Bangkok on April 20, 2018. He will likely talk to the Thai saints about the temple and encourage them to prepare now to attend this temple once it is complete.

The official announcement at Mormon Newsroom does not indicate a date for ground-breaking.

President Nelson visited Thailand in June of 1992 (as an Apostle) when in the company of Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. At that time chaos reigned in Bangkok as a political dispute was disrupting the populace. President Larry R. White asked Elder Maxwell to pronounce a blessing on Thailand which he did. Two days later the political dispute was resolved

The Church today formally announced the call of Todd Melvin Hammond as the next president of the Thailand Bangkok Mission. Todd and his wife Noelle will assume leadership of the mission on July 1, 2018. . Todd is a professor of religion at Brigham Young University, Idaho Campus, in Rexburg Idaho. He is the son of Floyd Melvin Hammond who served in the First Quorum of the Seventy from April 1, 1989 until October 1, 2005, when he received emeritus status. Todd served as a missionary in Thailand 1984-86.

During the current semester at BYU-I, Professor Hammond is teaching “Missionary Preparation” and “The External Family.” It would be interesting of any of his students from his Missionary Preparation classes ended up being called to the Thailand Bangkok Mission. He’d then be able to see real world results from his teaching.

President Hammond sent an email which read in part:

I truly felt that there have been mighty people, mighty miracles and blessings poured out on that promised land [Thailand]. I have been so touched by the outpouring of love and support from Thai members, former missionaries, and those preparing to serve there. We know the Lord has a special place in his heart for the people and the land of Thailand!

The following appeared in the "Church News" on Saturday April 28, 2018

Todd Melvin Hammond, 52, and Noelle Green Hammond, six children, Crest Haven Ward, Rexburg Idaho East Stake: Thailand Bangkok Mission, succeeding President Kelly R. Johnson and Sister Teressa L. Johnson. Brother Hammond is a former stake president, bishop, ward Young Men president, stake executive secretary and missionary in the Thailand Bangkok Mission. Born in Boulder, Colorado, to F. Melvin Hammond and Evona (Bonnie) Sellers Hammond.

Sister Hammond serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women adviser, Primary music leader and missionary in the Ecuador Quito Mission. Born in Redlands, California, to C. Ronald Green and Evelyn (Bebe) Haven Green.