A little bit of history...

The Vision

It all began as the brainchild Gerry Doyle, who had been active in several Chambers in Ireland before coming to Thailand. Together with Liam O’Keeffe-Ayudhkij, the concept for an Irish Thai Chamber began to take shape in early 2002. The key Objective was to raise the profile of Ireland in Thailand and facilitate those wishing to pursue trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries. With this in mind Gerry and Liam approached Jerome Kelly, Matthew Brennan and other Irish expatriates living on Thailand for there support and encouragement. It was enthusiastic and immediate.

The Irish-Thai Chamber’s first steps

The project received urgent impetus later in the same year with the first ever of an Irish president to the kingdom of Thailand. President Mary McAleese paid a private visit here prior to her State Visit to Malaysia and attended the luncheon at which the Chamber was officially launched in the Grand Hyatt Erawan on 27^th September 2002, where she also gave an address. This launch function was attended by over 200 guests.

It took a little longer, until March 2003, for the Irish Thai Chamber to be officially registered at the Thai Ministry of Commerce and the first committee formally took office. The Chairman was Liam O’Keefe-Ayudhkij. Other members were Jerome Kelly and Matthew Brennan. Much support was received from Gerry Healy and Gavin Higgins in organizing events. From the start, it was only strongly supported in all its endeavors by Enterprise Ireland and its Director, Terry McParland.

The Asia Ireland Chamber

At about the same time as these developments were taking place, and ambitious plan was being formulated to establish an Asia Ireland Chamber of Commerce to cover the whole of Asia, with Membership extending even to Ireland! This Chamber was launched in Dublin on 13^th May, 2003, at the Royal College of Surgeons. Liam O’Keeffe became president and Vice-President was Eddie Reynolds who was based in Dublin.

However, It soon became evident that the concept behind the Asia Ireland Chamber was overly ambitious. Its scope was spread across a far too wide and disparate geographic area. As a result, the plan was revised and the Asia Ireland Chamber had now ceased to function. It will soon be replaced by a Coalition of Irish Business groups in Asia.

The early events

Meanwhile the Irish Thai Chamber was spreading its wings. In June 2003, it facilitated a visit to Ireland, hosted by enterprise Ireland, by the Thai ICT Minister Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, accompanied by a delegation of 30 high profile Thai businessman and government officials. In October of the same year, it participated in the visit of an Irish business delegation to Australia. In October 2004, it facilitated Enterprise Ireland in hosting an Irish delegation from Universities though out Ireland that Participated in a Thai Government-sponsored educational fair in Bangkok, The Chairman, Liam O-Keefe-Ayudhkij, accompanied the delegations on their trips.

2005 – A further vitalization

During 2004 and early 2005, several social gatherings were also held, but membership remained low and regular activities limited. In April of 2005, elections for new Committee were held and Paul Potter became Chairman. Plans were laid to launch a new Membership drive and develop a\the website for the Member. The first major event in June was a highly successful networking evening held in the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

In March 2006 the Chamber held a very successful Irish week celebrating Irish food and culture.

Looking with optimism to the future

We have some new and exciting events and functions planned for 2008. We hope to see an expansion in the role of the Irish Thai Chamber of Commerce in Irish Thai relations and in furthering our mutual interests on business and commerce, tourism, education, sports culture and art.