"A square, two vertical lines and three horizontal dashes form the logo of the International Studies Center. The logo, which has been in use since 1988 was designed by Mr. Munin Paniswadi, a former diplomat whose last post was Consul-General in Osaka, Japan, from 2017 to 2018. According to Mr. Paniswadi, the logo's contemporary look was inspired by "the shape of flexible bamboo stems that, at times, are said to represent the characteristic of Thai foreign policy".

           On the initiative of Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, the then Foreign Minister, the International Studies Center (ISC) was established on 3 April 1987 to conduct studies and research to assist the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in forming its policies; enhance the capacities of its officials and foster international goodwill through international exchanges. ISC was to function as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “think tank” on bilateral and multilateral relations and other pressing international issues amidst changing global and regional landscape

           ISC was initially part of the then Institute of Foreign Affairs, which was headed by Ambassador Urachata Rodprasert, and supported by staff of the Policy and Planning Division, headed by Mr. Vorapoj Snidvongs na Ayudhya.

           The first director of ISC was Ambassador Phan Wannamethee, who Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila asked to head the newly established ISC just after Ambassador Phan concluded his term as ASEAN Secretary-General. Ambassador Phan was also an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time. He was a career diplomat who served as Director-General of the Political Department, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Permanent Secretary, and Ambassador to Germany and the United Kingdom.

           Ambassador Phan diligently served as Director of ISC. He continued to serve as Director of ISC even when he became the Secretary-General of the Thai Red Cross Society. He is credited by all his colleagues for his charisma, knowledge, humbleness and amiable personality that facilitated many of ISC successful endeavors.

           The effectiveness of ISC during its initial phase was also due to direct support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its personnel, office space, supplies, and especially budget for attending and hosting seminars and conferences, both at home and abroad. Support from the Ministry’s senior management, especially from the Minister himself, was vital to the development of ISC during its early years.

           During the government reform in 2001-2002, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dissolved the ISC and established the Saranrom Institute of Foreign Affairs (SIFA), as an independent body, in its place, in 2003.

           After 16 years, with changing global and regional landscape and pressing international issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided in 2019 to revive the ISC with the same name and logo it had earlier used. The revived ISC would conduct research and analyze various international issues and policies, as well as to create a network with “foreign affairs community” both domestically and internationally. ISC would also support the Ministry in researching and analyzing issues of international politics, economics, law, international and regional organizations. ISC would also raise public awareness on issues relating to foreign policies and generate discussions on related issues. ISC was launched on 5 September 2019.

           ISC initially shared the office with the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) on the 7th floor of Building B in the Government Complex. In 2021, ISC was allocated office space and renovation budget for its own office on the 8th floor of the same building. It moved into the new office in March 2022.