Thai American - History in U.S.

History in U.S.

The first Thais known to have come to the United States were Chang and Eng Bunker, the famous Siamese twins. Of mixed Chinese and Thai ancestry, they were brought to the United States in 1830 to become a sideshow attraction. They adopted the family name "Bunker" and later settled in White Plains, North Carolina. Both married and had children, spending alternate nights in each other's home. Their descendants are numerous.

The first Thai to study in the United States was He Thien (original name "Thien Hee"), a Thai Chinese who was brought by a returning American missionary. He Thien graduated from a New York medical college in 1871. He then returned to Siam, eventually adopting a Thai name. An influential businessman and father of Pote Sarasin, a former Prime minister of Thailand, He Thien is the founder of the powerful Sarasin Family.

Thai immigration to the United States proceeded very slowly. It began in earnest during and after the Vietnam War, in which Thailand was an ally of the U.S. and South Vietnam. Records show that in the decade between 1960 and 1970, some 5,000 Thais immigrated to the United States. In the following decade, the number increased to 44,000. From 1981 to 1990, approximately 64,400 Thai citizens moved to the United States.

According to the 2000 census there were 150,093 Thais in the United States.

In 2009, 304,160 U.S. residents listed themselves as Thais.