About Us
“Foundation of Thai Handbell Ringers” (FTHR)
and the first organization of handbell in Thailand.
Our Vision
To promote handbell and its music in Thailand through education and performance, to develop and popularize the handbell art form, and to inspire and enrich the artistic culture of the Thai people.
Our Mission
- To organize handbell concerts, events, and activities for a wide variety of audience;
- To establish handbell teams in communities, schools, and churches;
- To provide resources and educational opportunities for ringers and handbell teams;
- To offer awards and scholarships to ringers with outstanding performance;
- To gather and coordinate all ringers and handbell teams to form a handbell community in Thailand;
- To be a musical ambassador to the community and the world through handbell music.
Co-founders
In 2014, Mr. Christopher C. M. Wong & Mrs. Christine Y. So, missionaries to Thailand, brought a two octave handbell set into Thailand from Hong Kong, and started the very first handbell choir at the Sammuk Christian Academy in Bangsaen, Chonburi. After a few years of development, the Sammuk handbell choir became quite popular in Thailand. It has performed in various occasions using an expanded five octave set enhanced by the addition of handchimes.
In 2019, Mr. & Mrs. Wong received a generous funding from the Kowloon City Baptist Church to establish a non-profit foundation in Thailand, aiming to promote handbell music in the local community and invite more people to participate and enjoy handbell music performances.
In January 2021, we received a formal approval from the Thai government to launch this non-profit organization named “Foundation of Thai Handbell Ringers”.
Board of Directors
Mrs Nualsri Pattarathammas
Chairperson
Mrs Auchjanun Danai
Vice Chairperson & Secretary
Mrs Anatta Siangyen
Treasurer
Secretary
Ms Kontharos Watcharaprapakornkun