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History
A Brief History of the Thai-American Association of Milwaukee
Looking back thirty years, a few of us can still remember the beginnings
of the Thai-American Association of Milwaukee.
At the first meeting, 30 or 40 people came to Terry Omen’s house to talk
about interests and connections to Thailand. They all agreed to form an association
promoting Thailand. And the Thai-American Association of Milwaukee was born.
Being an active group, they created a board and elected board members that
very first night. The four original board members were:
Andy Wangsathonkul President
Terry Omen Vice-President
Chuck Calkin Treasurer
Worawut “Yui” Thanwisut Secretary
To this day we maintain these four main positions on the board, though Andy,
Terry, Chuck, and Worawut have passed their duties to a new generation.
In this early forming of the Association, there are two people who should
be honored for their key roles: Terry Omen and Worawut “Yui” Thanwisut. Terry
was a G.I. during the Vietnam War. His wife, Gularb, was from Thailand. Yui
was a graduate student from Thailand studying at UWM. The two men did not
know each other, but they had a mutual friend. Manit Auvuchanon knew both
his friends, Terry and Yui, were interested in doing more to foster Thai culture.
Manit brought the two men together. After thinking about it individually and
starting to talk about what they could do together, they called all their
friends with connections to Thailand together and held that first meeting
in Terry’s basement!
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Object
1. For Thai people, families, and friends to participate in activities to promote
unity.
2. To be a resource center for Thai immigrants in America.
3. To promote and support Thai culture and customs
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Board of Years 2009-2010
| President |
Manit Auvuchanon |
414.640.1703 |
| Vice President |
Phenjun (Phen) Mida |
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| Secretary |
Lakanawan (Tik) Macioce |
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| Treasurer |
Boonphen (Phen) Melrose |
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| Cultural Resources |
Sutthiwan Savetwith |
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Thippawan(Thip)Perkins |
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Public Relations &
Entertainment
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Laxisiri(Luck)Pauli |
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Rachaporn(Yai) Ponds |
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Apinya (Nong) Jordan |
414.581.7155 |
| Assistant Treasurer |
Pongtip Gillette |
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Activity
- Social activities, including an annual picnic.
- Promote Thai culture and customs through participation with the International
Institute of Milwaukee in the International Holiday Folk Fair beginning
in 1984 and continuing to the present.
- Promote Thai culture and customs through participation in the annual Asian Moon Festival.
- Exhibit and promote Thai culture and customs at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
- Promote Thai culture and customs at the opening ceremony for the Thai Pavilion at the
Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison.
- Promote Thai culture and customs at the Thai Festival in Chicago sponsored by
the Royal Thai Consulate of Chicago.
- Assist individuals with documents relating to passports, visas, and
other official papers, and to liaison with the Royal Thai Consulate of Chicago.
- Provide funeral benefits for member families.
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Budget As there are no membership fees, all expenses are covered through
fundraising events and activities and through donations.
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