About Us
The Thai Australian Chamber is the leading Victorian organisation representing and supporting Thai businesses and communities. Our non-partisan extensive network has a strong focus on bilateral relations.
Thailand is one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions in Southeast Asia and Australasia. Its centralised location and booming industries have made it a leading powerhouse when it comes to investments, technologies and trade.
We foster, support and promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities for both nations.
We increase and strengthen cultural, social and community links for every Thai person, business and visitor in Australia.
We acknowledge, celebrate and appreciate the traditions of the Thai community in Australia.
We offer non-partisan association, accepting and respecting all nations, peoples and cultures.
We nurture long-term and long-lasting networks and relationships between the business communities of Thailand and Australia.
We work in support of, and alongside, the leading organisations in the Australian-Asian communities, businesses, government, diplomatic and consular corps.
HISTORY OF THE
THAI AUSTRALIAN
CHAMBER
The concept of a Thai Australian association is the brainchild of Mr. Richard Lovell who invited friends and associates of the Thai-Australian community
to a networking event in a Thai restaurant in Carlton over a decade ago.
Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Chirachai Punkrasin attended this dinner as guest of honour and in his congratulatory speech, said Thailand and Australia have always enjoyed an excellent relationship that was further enhanced in 2005 when the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) came into effect . His Excellency marked the association as “an excellent initiative (that) will do much to further enhance bilateral trade opportunities and commercial engagement, but most importantly facilitate greater understanding and appreciation of our Thai culture”.
The popularity and support of these key networking events grew and became so popular and integral to the Australasian communities and businesses that an executive board was created and the
Thai Australia Network (TAN) was incorporated.
Formally chaired by the Honourary Counsel-General to Thailand, Dr . Simon Wallace, with the inclusion
of integral Executive Board members such as Bangkok Airways, Thai International Airways, Crown Promenade Hotel Group, Singha and CP Foods,
this grassroots initiative continued to swell and merge into the successful formation of the official Thai Australian Chamber that is seen today, becoming the foundation and cornerstone for Thais in Victoria.
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Thai Consulate in Melbourne, Dr Simon Wallace said that
the Chamber was a very unique organisation that reflected Thailand’s warm welcoming culture of generosity and hospitality, and stated his pleasure in seeing that these values would remain at the core of the Board’s mission and vision for the future.
Adding his voice to those of Dr Wallace,
Richard Lovell said far too many business councils and chambers are too rigidly focussed on strict formality and failed to provide an environment that just allows people to connect on an informal person-to-person level . And the premise of the Chamber has continued this former mission which is to provide regular opportunities for business owners and professionals to come together in an informal setting to network
and develop long term personal relationships with strong commercial outcomes.
The Chamber wishes to congratulate all the Thais in Australia who constantly strive for excellence and we applaud their outstanding successes in increasing the economy and diversity through integrating themselves so humbly and bravely to this wonderful country.
Mission Statement
The President, CEO and Executive Board of Directors (Executive Board) of the Thai Australian Chamber (TAC),
Herewith avow to adhere to the Mission Statement of TAC which:
Recognises and facilitates the development of professional activities that celebrate, highlight and promote TAC ideals and appreciates the Thai and Australian cultures through community, mentorship, friendship, and the exchange of ideas;
Respects any legal and government systems of the Asiatic and Australasian countries and accepts all global leaders in harmony with commercial, social and community benefits and stability;
Facilitates and enhances trade and commercial investment flows between Thai and Australian markets and businesses;
Recognises the significant opportunities for Thai and Australian individuals, communities and businesses to share their knowledge, expertise, and resources to address emerging issues, and ensure that competition, collaboration, and innovation excel to the mutual benefit of both nations;
Promotes and supports the significant economic growth opportunities offered by the Thai-Australian relationship through the potential to improve outcomes for individuals, communities and businesses;
Appreciates that close collaborations between the Thai and Australian commercial sectors will enable informed and proactive policy actions by governments, regulators and industries, and better position Thai and Australian businesses for the challenges of entering foreign markets;
Acknowledges that TAC are the trusted facilitators of law, policy, government, social and community ideals in adherence with the ideologies of Thailand and Australia;
Forthwith the President, CEO and Executive Board of Directors enlist the following understandings:
Purpose
To strengthen cooperation between Thailand and Australia, building on the existing historical ties between the legal and governing systems, economies, policies, and future growth, the Executive Board has decided to establish an association named the Thai Australian Chamber (TAC).
TAC will:
a) Provide information, data, news and resources for members on issues affecting the Thai and Australian industries and communities;
b) Provide a forum for Thai and Australian individuals, communities and businesses to network and collaborate;
c) Establish links between Thai and Australian individuals, tourists, students, communities, governments, charities, associations, businesses, enterprises, professionals and law makers in furtherance of advancing diversity, inclusion, governance, policy and jurisprudence for the public benefit;
d) Facilitate social reforms in areas of interest to the Thai and Australian communities to enhance positive bilateral relations with mutually beneficial outcomes;
e) Assist those in need in the TAC community with finding solutions to legal, commercial, social, community and government problems;
f) Provide conferences, seminars, events, delegations and meetings on issues relevant to TAC members;
g) Create a repository of print, audio, video, and electronic materials relevant to TAC members;
h) Publish posts, information, paperwork, multimedia and electronic materials overing TAC’s events and activities and issues of practical, communal and academic topics of interest to TAC members within the scope of TAC’s purpose;
i) Develop plans for Thai students to study in Australia and vice-versa;
j) Support, assist and promote bilateral relations through service, mentoring, donations, funding and non-profit acquisitions to further TAC’s purpose;
k) Establish TAC as the leading body for all business relations and Thai nationals, students, visitors and friends of Thailand living in Australia with a primary interest in strengthening the Thai-Australian community overall.
TAC sets out the framework for its goals, covering the aforementioned inter-related pillars.
The Executive Board maximum:
1) President: Siwit ‘Jack’ Techathawiekul;
2) Vice President & Director of Global Trade: Richard Lovell (“CP Foods”);
3) Director of Business: Atthasit ‘Art’ Limskul (“Singha”)
5) Director of Community: Kritsadee 'Boston' Pruitthiarphakul ("Ying Thai 2")
Relations:
Business to business; Business to regulator; Business to government; Trade and investment;
Education to school, course or university;
Law to business and governance; Social
to community; Domestic to international; Association to association; Association to charity; International to domestic; Government to government, and all bilateral relations.
Rules of Association
All rules of association are relayed in
The Constitution which may be reviewed regularly to ensure its impact and efficiency of TAC’s purpose.