On December 31, 1977 Drs. Yutthana and Thanasri Samroengrajaya hosted a party to ring in the new year. They invited twenty or so other Thai doctors who practiced in New York, New Jersey, and other nearby states. This group had met regularly over the past few years, attempting to form an association for Thai doctors in the United States. They wanted to create a support system for each other as they navigated practicing medicine.

As the party continued well into the evening, the discussion about establishing a mutual support system came up again. Finally, Dr. Chalotorn Locharoenkul had an idea: Every doctor at the party could pitch in $50 as seed money, and he could start an association that way.

How did Thais make themselves feel at home in a new country? How did temples, churches, masjids, and organizations help Thais adjust to a new way of life and create opportunities in the United States?

This module will address these and other related questions by serving as an overview of the creation of Thai American spaces, places, and associations. We will learn how Thais began to build a home and create community for themselves in the United States, as well as learn how various Thai American social and professional organizations helped newly arrived Thais feel more at home.