In 1996, Arun Jhaveri the Mayor of Burien became the first Asian Indian elected official in Washington. At least 27 percent of all Thai immigrants came to American before 1975. Most were students attending colleges and universities or had come to this country as professional or technical workers. However, as most immigrants found out - it was difficult to find employment in their chosen profession because of discrimination or a limited ability to speak English. Like other immigrants, Thais began their own businesses - often classy restaurants which introduced a wonderful, healthy cuisine to the American public.
Every city has several Thai restaurants which usually have non-thai clientele.
There are more than 100,000 Thai Americans nationally and 3,000 live in Washington State. Once only the warbrides of American servicemen were usually the only Vietnamese in the United States. Many of these entrepreneurs are Ethnic Chinese from Vietnam who fled in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In March 1975 there were less than 100 Vietnamese in Washington State. Today, there are more than 20,000 Vietnamese Americans in the state.