More than a century
of being “us”

From its beginnings in 1923 to today’s Thai student community in France:
a story of friendship, mutual help, and growing together.

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Thai students in France at Place du Trocadéro, 1926 — Thai students in France at Place du Trocadéro · 1926
Text and photo from the association’s earlier website · Photo source ↗

Far from home, but never apart. The association began as a way to pass on knowledge and help, from one generation of Thai students to the next.

1923B.E. 2466

Where looking after each other began

The Thai Students’ Association in France was founded in 1923 (B.E. 2466). Its original name was Samakkhayanukhro Samakhom (S.Y.A.M.), in French the Association Siamoise d’Intellectualité et d’Assistance Mutuelle (S.I.A.M.), meaning
the Siamese Association for Intellect and Mutual Assistance. His Royal Highness Prince Prajadhipok Sakdidej, Prince of Sukhothai, was invited to be its Honorary President.

His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), the association’s first Honorary President, under his title at the time

1949B.E. 2492

Coming together again

Records of the association’s presidents show it was active until 1936 (B.E. 2479). Its work paused during the Second World War, and it came together again in 1949 (B.E. 2492) as the Thai Students’ Association in France, under Royal Patronage.

1974B.E. 2517

A milestone in Tours

This registration built on the work of the 1974 (B.E. 2517) executive committee. At a general meeting in Tours on 1–6 July 1974, members approved the plan and amended the association’s statutes to follow French law. Qualified experts then translated the statutes for the registration. The 1986 (B.E. 2529) executive committee used this work as its basis, and adopted the amended statutes approved in Tours as the association’s official statutes.

1986B.E. 2529

Registering the association

For many years the association worked without legal status. In 1986 (B.E. 2529), Mr. Suwit Mangkorn, then president of the executive committee, applied to register the Thai Students’ Association in France, under Royal Patronage, under the French law on associations (law of 1 July 1901). The committee signed the founding documents on 5 December 1986 and submitted them to the French authorities on 10 December 1986. The founding was announced in issue no. 1 of the French Official Journal for 1987, on 7 January 1987.

Registration documents · 1986–1987

Registration details of the association, 1986 (B.E. 2529)
Déclaration á la préfecture de police de Paris
Nom : Association des Étudiants thaïs en France (A.E.T.F.)
Objet : encourager la solidarité entre les membres de l’association et les thailandais aussi bien en France qu’en Thaïlande et à l’étranger.
Siège social : 19, Rue Monsieur, 75007 Paris.
Date de la déclaration : 10 décembre 1986
Date de la parution : Journal officiel de la République Française du 7 janvier 1987

2009B.E. 2552

Another chapter in Bordeaux

The association was registered again in 2009 (B.E. 2552), under the committee led by president Mr. Pongsakorn Sanwittayakul.

Registration details · 2009

The Thai Students’ Association in France was registered again in 2009 (B.E. 2552),
under the committee led by president Mr. Pongsakorn Sanwittayakul. Details below.
Déclaration á la préfecture de Gironde
Nom : Association des Étudiants thaïlandais en France sous le patronage de sa majesté le Roi
R.N.A. : W332009351
Siège social : 140, Cours de l’Argonne, 33000 Bordeaux
Date de la déclaration : 22 octobre 2009
Date de la parution : Journal officiel de la République Française du 31 octobre 2009

2013B.E. 2556

Continuing together in Paris

The association was registered again in 2013 (B.E. 2556), under the committee led by president Mr. Siranat Wittayathammathat. The Royal Thai Embassy in Paris kindly allowed the association to use the embassy as its official address.

Registration details · 2013

The Thai Students’ Association in France was registered again in 2013 (B.E. 2556),
under the committee led by president Mr. Siranat Wittayathammathat. For this registration, the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris kindly allowed the association to use the embassy as its official address. Details below.
Déclaration á la préfecture de police de Paris
Nom : Association des Etudiants Thaïlandais en France sous le patronage royal
R.N.A. : W751220119
Siège social : L’ambassade royale de Thailande, 8, rue Greuze, 75116 Paris
Date de la déclaration : 4 avril 2013
Date de la parution : Journal officiel de la République Française du 22 juin 2013

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