Honored members of Thailand’s vast network of Rotary Clubs had a very special night to celebrate as the first Russian-speaking Rotary Club opened its doors in Thailand. 

Officially named the Rotary Club of Bangkok GRAD, the first Russian club held its inaugural Charter Night at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok on Tuesday, June 25. 

Rotary District Governor for Thailand, Wichai Chivakanit, welcomed the new members with sincere optimism.

“We strive for diversity and would like to have clubs not only in the Thai language. The opening of a Russian-language club aligns perfectly with this aim. Our networking format, in my opinion, will benefit our countries,” Mr. Wichai is quoted as saying.

The notable personalities behind the Rotary Club of Bangkok GRAD include the President of the Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce (TRCC), Vitaliy Kiselev, and the Trade Representative of Russia in Thailand, Yuri Lyzhin. 

The foundation of the first Russian Rotary Club in Thailand is expected to strengthen cultural and business ties between Russia and Thailand, as well as promote humanitarian exchange, according to Mr. Lyzhin.

“One of the club’s goals is to potentially raise funds to support cultural relations initiatives between Thailand and Russia, as well as educational projects, particularly assisting those learning the Russian language,” he said, speaking to TASS. 

“This is a new opportunity for Russian compatriots to gather and engage with each other, exchanging ideas and information. Here, conditions are created specifically for compatriots to communicate. Traditionally, Rotary is primarily a business club, so I believe it will help unite Russian entrepreneurs in Thailand,” Mr. Kiselev added.

Founded in 1905 in the USA, Rotary International is a global humanitarian organization committed to fostering goodwill and peace through volunteerism and community service. The name “Rotary” was derived from the club’s early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices. 

As of 2024, the worldwide network includes over 46,000 clubs with 1.4 million members, known as Rotarians. Each club is a community of business, professional, and civic leaders who come together to serve their communities and the world.

The core values of Rotary include service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” encapsulates the organization’s dedication to volunteerism and altruism.

Membership in a Rotary Club is open to individuals who share Rotary’s commitment to community service and ethical conduct. Potential members are typically invited to join by existing Rotarians. The clubs encourage diversity in their membership, welcoming individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or political affiliation.

The first Rotary Club in Thailand – Rotary Club of Bangkok – was established in 1930 with Prince Purachatra Krom Phra Kampaeng Bejra elected as the Club’s Charter President. In 1955, King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously became the Royal Patron of Rotary in Thailand. 

As of the latest information, there are approximately 350 Rotary Clubs in Thailand now. Phuket is home to no fewer than seven Rotary Clubs.

Speaking to RL, Mr. Lyzhin mentioned the possibility of launching a Russian-speaking Rotary Club in Phuket in due time.

“Bangkok GRAD is the first Russian-speaking Rotary club established in Thailand with our support and at our initiative. It’s important to emphasize that this is a fully-fledged international Rotary Club with all the powers, customs, rules, and so on. We view the entire Rotary institution as a platform for communication and engagement of both Thailand-based business people from Russia and those visiting the Kingdom,” Mr. Lyzhin said.

“There are many Rotary structures in Thailand: German-speaking, French-speaking, Spanish-speaking – you name it. All of them are united by the Rotary Institution, and with the emergence of the first Russian club, we hope to foster active dialogue not only among Russian entrepreneurs but also with representatives of other countries,” he added.

According to Mr. Lyzhin, the Rotary Club of Bangkok GRAD will be “a territory for communication without any restrictions.” Yet, there is still a lot to be done before establishing a Phuket chapter.

“Before thinking about expanding to Phuket, we first need to build a member base for Bangkok GRAD, engage people with this idea, and explain the peculiarities of the club communication system. A Rotary Club is not a business association or a structure to help compatriots; it’s something entirely different. First and foremost, the club is a platform for exchanging experiences,” the Trade Representative of Russia in Thailand emphasized.