Day 46: Thai Town, Los Angeles, California
📌APIA Every Day (46) - Thai Town, officially recognized by the Los Angeles City Council in 1999 as the first and only Thai Town in the United States, has a rich history. The initial influx of Thai Americans to Los Angeles occurred during the 1950s, followed by increased migration attributed to U.S. Cold War intervention in Thailand and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. This growth continued through the 1970s, marked by the establishment of Thai temples, including the Wat Thai Buddhist Temple, alongside the emergence of Thai businesses and newspapers.
Despite the growth in the 1970s, the 1992 LA riots (spurred from the acquittal of four LAPD officers charged with using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King) inflicted damage on several Thai businesses, prompting a response from a politically conscious Thai community. The Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC), in collaboration with the Thai Town Formation Committee, engaged with LA government officials to establish Thai Town.
Thai Town, currently spanning six blocks from Western to Normandie Avenues in East Hollywood, has transformed into a vibrant social and economic center for Thai Americans. The revitalization efforts aimed to uplift families from poverty and provide a platform to showcase Thai culture, offering the community a voice in public affairs.
In 2008, Thai Town received federal recognition as a Preserve America neighborhood, a significant milestone in its cultural journey. Beyond becoming a cultural hub, Thai Town symbolized the rich Thai heritage through statues of apsonsi, mythical half-human, half-lion angels from Thai folklore. The annual Thai New Year’s Day Songkran Festival in April searches upwards of 100,000 visitors. Thai Town's dedication to cultural preservation, economic growth, and community ties positions it as a vibrant and culturally significant enclave in the diverse landscape of Los Angeles.
LEARN MORE:
Thai CDC: Creation of Thai Town
NBC News: America's Only Thai Town Celebrates 15 Years in Los Angeles
LA City Government: Los Angeles Citywide Historic Context Statement
Los Angeles Times: City Council Designates Area as ‘Thai Town’
Los Angeles Times: L.A.’s Newest Place; Thai Town
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