Raks Thai Foundation was established on August 15, 1997 as a registered non-profit organization under Thai laws. The development work of Raks Thai carries forward 20 years of CARE Thailand programming that began in 1979, initially responding to the Cambodian refugee influx along the Thai borders, and eventually broadening to other sectors of development. Dr. Krasae Chanawongse is the founding and current Board Chairperson of the Foundation.

Raks Thai Foundation became a member of CARE International on January 2003, being the first CARE member from a developing country. Other CARE International members include the national members of Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America. CARE has disaster relief and development programs in over 80 countries around the world.