Pad Thai, Thai Iced Tea and Thai satay -- In the early 1980s, Thai culture was merely known to South Floridians through Thai food, deliciously cooked and served by the many Thai restaurants popping up in the tropical landscape. In 1986, a group of Thais decided to form the Thai-American Association of Florida to further the understanding and conservation of Thai culture and Buddhism, as well as develop and advance Thai-American relations within the community. Thus, the Thai-American Association of South Florida was born, incorporated on October 7, 1986 as a non-profit organization.
Since 1986 the Thai-American Association has organized many festivals and cultural events to promote and educate the public about Thai culture, Buddhism. Through these fundraisers, the Association has helped raise funds to build Wat Buddharangsi of Miami. One of the main festivals that the Thai-American Association organizes is the annual Asian Culture Festival at the Fruit & Spice Park on the first weekend in March. The Asian Culture Festival is a perfect working relationship between the Miami-Dade County Fruit & Spice Park and the Thai-American Association, each offering its unique talents to help organize a fun yet culturally meaningful festival. This year there 10,000 people attended over the course of two days. The goals of the festival are: 1) to bring the Asian community together, to work together in harmony, putting on an Asian cultural festival of unsurpassed magnitude; 2) to give Asian entrepreneurs and opportunity to sell and market their products to the public; and 3) to showcase Asian cultures and people, food and products at the same place and time, promoting an increased awareness in the public, especially among children.
The Thai-American Association has also published an annual Florida Thai Business Directory to help promote Thai businesses in Florida. The Directory also gives other people the opportunity to reach out and market their businesses to the Thai community. The Thai-American Association additionally offers itself as a social service center for Thais and others who need information and services that relate to the Thai people and Thai government.
