ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Sam Sutchalao came to the United States from Northeast Thailand in September of 1974.

He was 13 years old and he was following his mother, who had moved five years earlier.

Sutchalao began his career in the restaurant industry in Indiana, managing a chain restaurant before opening his own Thai food restaurant in 2002.

"I love to cook. It's one of my passions," he said.

In 2009, he decided to follow his sisters south and came to Alabama.

He opened Thai One On in 2013 and contributes his success in the food service industry to hard work.

"If you work hard, you can get your dream. It doesn't matter where you came from," said Sutchalao.

He will be the keynote speaker for the depot's Asian Pacific Islander Month Luncheon on May 25.

ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH LUNCHEON

Date: May 25

Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

Date: Sam Sutchalao, owner of Thai One On

Cost: $10

Menu: Asian salad, Pacific island chicken, sweet and sour pork, pad Thai noodles, fried rice, stir fry vegetables, egg roll, Hawaiian cake, tea and water