Stories tagged with education
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Touring the King’s Development Projects
King Bhumibol is universally revered among the people of Thailand. This benevolent monarch has done more than his share to aid in rural development around the country. Over the years he has been dedicated to improving the lives of the nation’s poor and creating a sustainable agricultural industry for Thai farmers.
In many provinces the projects of the King’s initiative can be seen, both agriculturally and also where infrastructure is concerned. Having given so much of his time to these causes, it’s easy to see why he is held in such high regard by his people.
Just as the celebrations fade from His majesty’s 60th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, the King celebrates his 80th birthday this year.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Federation of Thai Industries, Thailand Convention & Exhibiton Bureau and Thai Airways have joined forces to offer study tours of the King’s projects entitled ‘Royal Initiative Discovery’.
To drum up some activity in the low tourist season, this study tour wishes to promote and place in the market MICE-Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions- in hope of promoting domestic tourism and raising environmental awareness.
Posted by: DaveB on 21 Jun 2007, 09:49 -
School principal capitalizes on superstitions
Any casual observer may have noticed recently in many of Thailand’s cities a growing number of people wearing garish amulets around their necks, akin to what a dogmatically inclined Flavor Flav may sport.
Aside from the obvious fashion trend they’ve created, the Jatukarm Ramathep amulets caused quite a stir in the Phra Pohm district of Nakhon Si Thamarat last week, when a school principal was made to resign over what were concluded as inappropriate actions concerning the draw of the amulets.
Seri Sripakpraek, in an attempt to raise money for the cash-drained Phra Phom Phitayanusorn School, allegedly considered that students should buy the amulets for 599 baht each.
Parents saw this as crass opportunism, as their pockets were collecting lint as well after paying high fees and covering the costs of books and materials. They demanded his resignation over what they deemed inappropriate actions.
As reported by The Bangkok Post 'It's a failure of communication. I didn't order the students to buy the amulets, just asked them for their cooperation.'' Said Mr. Seri, apparently taken aback at the commotion his suggestion had created.
This is not the first news story concerning these amulets that bear the name of a guardian god of relics of Buddha enshrined at Wat Phramahathat in Nakkon Si Thammarat. Buddhist monks have spoken out against this trend, claiming that it has nothing to do with true Buddhism, and a woman was trampled amidst a frothing mob at a temple, trying to procure an amulet.
Posted by: DaveB on 21 Jun 2007, 09:44 -
Scholarships for Southeast Asian Students
The Siam Cement Foundation is offering scholarships to students in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand who would like to study for an MA in International Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. The Nation has more details.
Posted by: Toony on 19 Jun 2007, 11:58 -
Thailand Reacts to Recent Earthquakes
The Nation reports that the National Committee on Earthquakes is proposing that quake-resistant design be added to the curriculum of civil engineering schools nationwide. They are also suggesting that laws be implemented in more provinces in the central region enforcing earthquake-resistance requirements on buildings over 15m high. similar regulations are already in place in some northern provinces.
Posted by: Watt on 08 Jun 2007, 10:11