Thai Rice Exporters Association, with current 199 exporter members and 35 two-year term directors, has a very long and proud history. It was founded in 1918 under its original name Siam Rice Association. In the beginning Mr. Ngow Pek Ngam, the owner of “Nguan Seng” rice store, gathered rice wholesalers in Bangkok area and, for the first time, registered the association with the Royal Thai Police Department. The purpose of the association was to be the centre for the local rice merchants. Mr. Ngow Pek Ngam was named the first Chairman of the association. Later on the membership of the association extended to cover Bangkok rice millers along the Chao Phraya River, rice exporters and also local rice merchants.