The TRF was established in response to the 1992 Research Endowment Act.  It is a juristic body that enjoys being part of the government system but outside the government administrative bureaucracy. This freedom allows great efficiency in research support.

   Realizing the importance of research to national development, the Anan Punyarachun Cabinet in its April 23, 1991 meeting agreed to create a working board comprising the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office (Dr. Phaichitr Uathavikul), the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment (Professor Dr. Sanga Sabhasri), and the Minister of Industry (Professor Dr. Sippanondha Ketudat) to investigate the overall picture of research in Thailand in order to promote useful research results.

   The Cabinet approved the idea of Research Endowment Act in June 1991, and the Act was passed and published in the Government Gazette on April 2, 1992.

   Later on, the Cabinet appointed the chairman and members of the TRF Policy Board. On March 30, 1993 the TRF Policy Board appointed the Director of the TRF and the operation of TRF started. A year later, the Cabinet appointed the chairman and members of the Evaluation Board which will follow-up and evaluate funded research projects.