The Old England Students Association Under Royal Patronage สมาคมนักเรียนเก่าอังกฤษ ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์
https://liff.line.me/1645278921-kWRPP32q/?accountId=csy7177t in brief, was established and registered as an association on February 27, 1934. Prince Naradhip Bhongseprabhan, while still holding the royal title of Prince Vanna Vaidhayakara was elected as its first president and the Royal Turf Clu
b of Thailand served as the venue for meetings. Actually, activities of the Old England Students Association were initiated already prior to the change of the country’s political regime from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one in 1932 with a group having invited all the other former students at the time to join a dinner at Phayathai Hotel (presently Phra Mongkutklao Hospital). Meetings were held, thereafter, at Suan Kularb Palace on the setting up of the association. However, the plan for the establishment of the association was put on hold for a time as a result of the change in the political regime. During 1933, the former England students met for a dinner and dance at Saranrom Palace and it was here that the “Kojasingh Revue” was born and became immensely popular not only amongst the old England students but also amongst other social circles as well. Following its official registration, the Association initially used the Royal Turf Club of Thailand as venue for meetings. Thereafter, a palace on Wireless Road was rented and served as the venue where the Association held all of its activities such as monthly dinners, dances, debates and all kinds of shows with the support of a great number of members as well as the British Embassy and British nationals living in Thailand. However, the Association was only able to ensure the success of its activities at the said venue for a few years after which financial problems forced it to turn to using the Royal Turf Club again. In 1942, as the Association was preparing to hold a “Ye Old English Inn” booth with bowling facilities during the Constitution Day Celebration, the Second World War broke out and the Association was requested to close down as a result of war time by the government. At the end of the war, the Association became active once more. In 1949, under the presidency of Major General Mom Daweewongse Thawalayasakdi the Association rented the building and the piece of land at the corner of Saladaeng Road (part of Dusit Thani Hotel at present) belonging to the Crown Property Bureau for use as the Association’s office and club house. At the time, the O.E.S.A. served as a place where former England students during the Second World War used to get together. Several of those whose names figure on the list of present committee members can actually be considered as “regular visitors” of the club at Saladaeng. Therefore, when the Association had to move again to another location as the Crown Property Bureau needed to use the premise for another purpose, several members were sad, regretting having to leave their “second home”. Thanks to the Crown Property Bureau and especially the late Major General Mom Daweewongse who was Director of the said Bureau at the time, the Association moved to the present New Petchburi Road, Klongton Sub-district while receiving a compensation fund of two million bahts which served for the construction of its new premises, consisting of two tennis courts, a swimming pool, five meeting rooms, a library and a multi-purpose English styled recreation room. Nowadays, the number of members frequenting our club house is less than before. This is probably due to the fact that there are presently many more such clubs which have opened and are able to provide more comprehensive services and activities than our club which is already 77 years’ old. It is certainly the wish and greatest desire of the O.E.S.A. Committee to see that our club serves as the meeting place of our members as before and “You” are truly one of those who can make our Association regain this former vitality.
