A business and Professional Woman’s Association was formed in America in July 1919 by Dr. Lena Medicine Philip. 9 years later she had traveled around Europe and formed the association in each country in Europe. In 1930 a conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland for the first time and Dr. Philip appointed the first president, currently the association known as the Federation of Business and Professional Woman’s Association.

In Thailand the Business and Professional Woman’s Association was formed in Bangkok in 1964 by Khun Ying Somsri Jaroenrattapak, with Khun Ying Supattra Singholaka as the first president. However, to form the association as a Federation, they needed three more members, therefore, the association invited Chiang Mai business women to join the Business and Professional Woman’s association of Chiang Mai on 20th November 1969 and Dr. Chaemjit Laohawat was the first president. On 17th December 1973 the Business and Professional woman’s association of Songkhla was formed and Khun Ying Chuenjit Sukhun was the first president. Later, another 10 association members formed including The BPW of Ubobrachathani, Roi-Ed, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sri Thamarat, Nong Kai, Kalasin, Lam Pang, Chiang Rai, Yasothorn, Phrae, Phuket. Presently, the members are in 18 provinces of Thailand.

The Business and Professional Woman’s Association of Chiang Mai registered on 3rd March 1971 with Dr Chaemjit Laohawat and other business and professional women in Chiang Mai. The objective of the association is to develop business and professional women in Chiang Mai by adapting to world changes in friendship, love, and unity and helping each other to help the community and the public of the north of Thailand as well as the country to be in line with the objective of the International Federation of Business and Professional Woman’s Association. Currently, the head office of the association is in London, England and Dr. Chonchanok Weerawan is the first Thai woman to be a president of the International Federation during 2006-2009.

In the past 36 years, BPW of Chiang Mai has played an important role in developing the province i.e. pushing the province to build an international airport, building the outer ring road, helping with the royal project in funding the building of roads for the Hilltribe villages, building structures for professional women, advising businesswomen on the prospect of economic crisis in Thailand, training export skills to all exporters in the northern area, working with businesswomen in creating exhibition booths in other countries. The committee and members exchange their opinions with other women in Asia, such as Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore. The association has organized business management training courses by working with the department of development, Hod district and Jom Thong district. The association also organized a training course for a group of 100 leader women from a village and other businesswomen, and after they finished the course their business increased 15 %.

The above training is renowned and helped BPW of Chiang Mai win a prize from The International Conference in Canada in September 1999 with the concept of help women help themselves. Furthermore, the BPW of Chiang Mai is well known in Thailand and internationally.

Policy
Business and Professional Women’s Association of Thailand-Chiang Mai
1.Emphasison relationships, helping, advising and exchanging opinions between members.
2.Developing member abilities and being a part of social activities.
3.Helping other women with their careers.

Vision
Developing ourselves, developing our career, creating professional stability, being a part of the community, making the most for our members and community.