Blast from the Past!

Friends Of Thailand Award 2002

September 27th., 2002, Queen Sirkit Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

Ajahn, Dr. Anthony B. James received the prestigious “Friends of Thailand” award from the Royal Thai Department of Commerce, Thai Trade Center USA and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Ajahn, Dr. James was given the award in recognition of his work and contributions in the field of Traditional Thai Medicine, Traditional Thai Massage Therapy (Ryksaa Thaang Nuad Phaen Boran Thai Ayuraved), and Thai Culture (Ajahn and Khruu Buddhai Sawan Krabi krabong: Apprenticed under GM Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn of the Buddhai Sawan Institute, Nongkam Thailand)

His accomplishments include: publishing the first book on Traditional Thai Massage in the English language “Nuat Thai, Traditional Thai Medical Massage”, Metta Journal Press, 1984. (Now updated and new edition… “Ayurveda of Thailand: Indigenous Traditional Thai Medicine and Thai Yoga“)

Becoming the first licensed Traditional Thai Massage practitioner in the United States (Dekalb County, GA 1984)

The first recognized Traditional Thai Massage Instructor in the US, AOBTA: 1990, Member #37), Founder and President of ITTA, the International Thai Therapists Association ,(1992- 2008) now NAIC: Native American Indigenous Church.

Organizer and leader of “The Thailand Externship Training Program for non -thai practitioners” 1986 to present.

Educational contributions to former Prime Minister Thaksins “Task Force For Traditional Medicine in Thailand” (1998 to 2012 ).

Chief Traditional Thai Massage (Thai Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga) consultant Thai Consulate USA (1998 to present).

Founder, Director and Chief Instructor of the only 4000 hr.+, professional, full time, residential training, certification and college degree program based on Traditional Thai Yoga medicine in the west “Somaveda College of Natural Medicine/ Thai Yoga Center: Brooksville , Florida, USA. (Native American Indigenous Church Inc.)