Mensa is often described as the world’s largest and best-known high IQ society, but in everyday terms, it’s simply a community built around curiosity, intelligence, and the enjoyment of thinking together. At its core, Mensa is about connection rather than labels, and about sharing ideas in an open-minded way.

Origins of Mensa

Founded in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a British lawyer, and Dr. Lancelot Ware, a scientist, Mensa began with a refreshingly simple idea. They believed that intelligence, regardless of background, nationality, profession, or beliefs, deserved a place to gather and be valued.

The name “Mensa” comes from the Latin word for “table”, symbolising a round table where everyone meets as equals. From the start, Mensa was meant to be inclusive, non-political, and non-religious, with membership based solely on achieving a top 2% score on an approved intelligence test.

Today, Mensa exists in over 100 countries and brings together people from all walks of life. Members include scientists, artists, engineers, writers, students, retirees, entrepreneurs, and people who simply enjoy exploring ideas. Some are outwardly academic, others creative or practical, and many never fit the stereotype of what “high IQ” is supposed to look like.

Actually, this mix of personalities and perspectives is a big part of what keeps Mensa interesting.

Mensa International

At the international level, Mensa International acts as a global umbrella organisation that connects national Mensa groups. It supports international events, cross-border collaboration, research, and outreach. It also helps maintain testing standards and provides guidance for emerging national groups.

One of the most appealing aspects of Mensa is networking, though not in the traditional business-card sense. Mensa networking tends to be organic and interest-driven. Members connect through local meetups, online forums, international gatherings, and Special Interest Groups, often called SIGs. These groups cover everything from philosophy, science, and technology to literature, travel, board games, food, and the arts.

What about Thailand?

Today there are many fully recognised national Mensa groups that operate independently within their own countries, welcoming memberships and running events.

Many Thai people have already been accepted into Mensa chapters overseas, such as Mensa UK, Mensa Italy, etc., which clearly shows growing interest and active participation from people in Thailand.

While Thailand does not have an officially recognised national Mensa group, progress is very much under way! Thai residents can still join Mensa International directly by qualifying in the top 2% on an accepted intelligence test, but Thailand High IQ Society (THIQ) is created to offer a local space for connection and growth.

Our founding committees, based in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, represent the first steps in bringing together like-minded people who share a vision of taking Thailand to the next level that meets international standards, with long-term goal of becoming Mensa Thailand Initiative, and eventually, Mensa Thailand itself.

For many members, this sense of intellectual ease and mutual understanding is one of the most valuable parts of belonging. Like Mensa and similar societies, we believe that intelligence should be used responsibly and for the greater good.