Tom Vitayakul emerged as an active and increasingly influential member of the Textile Society of Thailand (TTS), initially contributing as a speaker and gradually taking on key leadership and strategic roles, particularly in publicity, program development, and long-term planning.

Early Involvement and Speaking Engagements (2014-2015): Tom first appears in the records as a prospective speaker for the "Collector's Corner" series, with his program on Khmer silks suggested for January or February 2015, ideally at his venue, the Rose Hotel. His program on the textiles of northeast India was indeed held on May 12, 2015, and was noted as a success with 35-40 attendees and a beautiful display of his textiles at the Siam Society. This early engagement established his presence as a knowledgeable textile enthusiast and a valuable resource for TTS programs.

Growing Contributions and Taking on Publicity (2018): By 2018, Tom's involvement became more consistent. His sari program in January was well received. The committee began to recognize his potential for a more formal role, proposing and voting to ask Tom Vitayakul to join the committee in July. He formally joined in August 2018 and was immediately assigned a significant responsibility: taking over publicity. This marked a pivotal shift, as he became a core part of the decision-making and operational team. In this period, he continued to contribute to program ideas, suggesting a visit to Uthai Thani, Chainat, and Suphanburi for indigo dyeing in January 2019.

Expanded Programmatic and Strategic Influence: Tom quickly became a driving force in program scheduling and content.

• Program Planning: He was consistently involved in identifying and inviting speakers, such as Khun Sakchai Guy, Khun Nall and Khun Pee Noi on Chinese minority groups, and Khun Ake for Royal Shan outfits. He also suggested various Collector's Corner topics, including Indonesian gold, and later Central Asian robes and Japanese kimonos.

• Trip Leadership: He proposed and led excursions, such as a visit to textile shops in Chatuchak market. He also became a key figure in larger, international trips, like the Cambodia trip, where he contributed to the successful "Khmer Textiles - Then and Now" study tour.

• Newsletter/E-magazine Development: Tom was a significant contributor to the newsletter (later e-magazine), providing articles on ancient Egyptian textiles and later having his presentations reviewed for inclusion. He was instrumental in proposing the new name "Pah Thai Magazine" for the publication, which was adopted by the committee. He ordered 20 copies of the first magazine for his own use and suggested giving copies as gifts to speakers.

• Financial Scrutiny: He actively participated in financial discussions, questioning discrepancies in treasurer's reports and advocating for clear financial practices, such as suggesting net income reporting.

• Website Redesign and Functionality: Tom was part of the core group pushing for and working on the redesign of the TTS website, recognizing its outdated nature. He, Ake, and Dimpy met with a Thai web designer and were key in getting the new user-friendly website underway.

• Charitable Initiatives: He suggested supporting Ajarn Dhirabhand's project of documenting Buddhist manuscript covers, and later, identifying students who might qualify for financial assistance. He also championed the donation to Victoria Vorreiter's Cross Roads project.

• Governance and Continuity: He raised important questions about committee members' attendance requirements and suggested including a list of future speakers. He also supported inviting new board members like M.L. Pawinee Sukhasvasti Santisiri.

Overall Effect: Tom Vitayakul has a profound and multifaceted effect on the TTS. His primary contributions were:

• Enhancing Program Quality and Diversity: Through his extensive network and knowledge, he consistently brought in high-caliber speakers and diverse textile topics, enriching the learning experience for members.

• Driving Strategic Modernization: He was a vocal advocate for and active participant in the modernization of TTS communications, particularly the successful rebranding to "Pah Thai Magazine" and the development of a new, user-friendly website.

• Ensuring Financial Prudence: His active participation in financial reports and his efforts to secure donations for charitable textile causes contributed to the society's financial health and mission alignment.

• Promoting Organizational Continuity: His continued presence, suggestions, and assistance, particularly with new board members and ongoing projects, underscore his deep commitment to the TTS's long-term success. His years of service are specifically recognized for their "outstanding service, dedication and great contributions".