Textbooks from Thailand, courtesy Plack Sirisatien, photograph Ed Giles.
The Colombo Plan
- A Student Legacy
The Colombo Plan, launched in January 1950, was an aid program aimed at assisting developing nations. It was also used as a means to promote Australia to Asia and to dispel negative impressions of the country caused by the White Australia Policy. Many Thai students travelled to Australia on the Colombo Plan and as private students. Most did not settle in Australia permanently, but they increased awareness of Australia when they returned to Thailand.
One private student, Kulap Saipradit, visited Australia to study in the late 1940s and wrote several essays in Thai on his experiences. According to Kulap, the first Thai student to study in Sydney began his studies in September 1947 and was later joined by other students who formed a small community.
Despite the positive opportunities offered by the Colombo Plan, Thai students were affected by the racist White Australia Policy. The Thai students banded together to deal with the 'oppressive conditions' of life in Australia. Language barriers, difficulty in finding accommodation and racism were just some of the problems they experienced.