Background of Rotary in Thailand
from The Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya
Rotary Organization was founded in
Chicago, U.S.A. on 23 February 1905 (B.E.2448) by Paul P.
Harris, and was later brought to Thailand through Rotarian
James W. Davidson of the Rotary Club of Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, who was appointed by Rotary International as General
Commissioner for the formation of Rotary Clubs in the
Orient.
Rotarian James W. Davidson had been
granted an audience with His Royal Highness Prince
Purachatra in Bangkok to seek his permission to discuss the
possibility in forming a Rotary Club in Thailand. His
Excellency Prince Purachatra was impressed with the ideal of
Rotary, and thus the first Rotary Club was founded by him on
17 September 1930, namely: "Rotary Club of Bangkok" (an
English speaking club) with 69 founding members of 15
different nationalities. The Charter Presentation Ceremony
was held at Phyathai Palace (now becomes Phra Mongkut Army
Hospital, Rajvithee Road), whereas H.R.H. Prince Purachatra
was installed as Charter President.
1931 there were 8 Rotary Clubs in this " Golden Peninsula "
region. They were grouped together and designated as
"Provisional District B"
1935 Rotary international had included all Rotary Clubs in
the French Indo-China region in the same Provisional
District B whose designation was later changed to "District
80", whereupon H.S.H. Prince Purachatra became the first
District Governor.
1948 as a result of the worldwide rearrangement, "District
80" was renumbered as "District 46".
1955 on the occasion of the Silver Anniversary Celebration
of the founding Rotary Club of Bangkok, His Majesty King
Bhumipol Aduljadej (King Rama IX) graciously consented to
honor Rotary by becoming "Patron of Rotary in Thailand". It
was noted that the Constitution and By-laws of Rotary
International was translated into Thai for the first time by
Past President Luang Sitsayamkarn of RC Bangkok who later
became a charter member of the second Rotary Club in
Thailand, namely: Rotary Club of Thonburi , which is a Thai
speaking club.
1957 the total number of Rotary Clubs became enormous, the
District numbers were re-numbered in three digits worldwide.
Effective 1 July 1957 District 46 was changed to "District
330".
1958 the second Rotary Club was born with Phya Mahai-Sawan
aselected Charter President.
1980 as of 23 February 1980 which marked the 75 th
anniversary of Rotary International, there were 48 Rotary
Clubs in Thailand . At the 45 th conference of District 330
during 22-24 February 1980, it was resolved to re-district
District 330 into two districts, whereby a new District 335
comprised of all Rotary Clubs in Thailand as of 1 st July
1982 was headed by PP Rojvit Pereira of RC Bangkok South as
the first District Governor. Number of Rotary Clubs in
Thailand was increased to 69 during that year.
1983 the first issue of Rotary Magazine in Thai language was
published on 1 st July 1983 and was approved as the official
Regional Rotary Magazine for Thailand on 1 st July 1985 . PP
Dr. Sumin Prurgsiganont of RC. Chiang Mai North was the
first Editor.
1985 the number of Rotary Clubs in Thailand was fast
growing, Rotary International approved the split of District
335 into two districts: District 335 and District 336, on 4
June 1985 , and became effective on 1 July 1985 .
1992 R.I . approved Districts 335 and 336 to split into 4
districts, namely: Districts 3330, 3340, 3350 and 3360 to be
effective as from 1 July 1992 onward.
