PILC families get together for a day of fun at the beach

Students focus on UN

Internet to open up education for students in remote areas

ESBEC - Improving environment for the people of Thailand

PILC families get together for a day of fun at the beach

Heave - Ho! And the game is on...

The Pattaya International Ladies Club held a Family Day for its members at the Sea, Sand & Sun Resort in Najomtien. Over twenty children with mums and dad’s in tow joined the festivities on the beach for a day of fun and games. The resort was more accommodating than the weather but even that couldn’t dampen the children’s spirits, for when the rains fell, everyone feasted upon a beautiful buffet luncheon before engaging in the many activities.

Laurence Fatus, PILC president (left) and Arlette Cykman, PILC special events director were organizers of the day.

The event was organized by Arlette Cykman, special events director for the PILC who said, “The day (was) for everybody, not just families. We wanted to include more activities for the children.”

That was certainly the case, as when the storm clouds retreated and the rain stopped, out on to the clean sandy beaches they ventured.

Millie and her winning mermaid sand sculpture.

Most of the children spread out across the beach, preparing master creations for the sandcastle contest, all vying for a big prize. Millie won flippers down with her version of a mermaid, while other variations of castles and forts received high praise.

Those not content with the artistic aspects of the day engaged in a few friendly games of ‘boullie’ (similar to petong in Thailand or a more thrilling version of lawn bowls), in which the name of the game was to toss colored balls in succession near a small white ball, closest color wins. Both parents and kids enjoyed this event.

This was all followed a by tug o’ war involving everyone, teams of boys vs. girls and then an all in competition.

Building sandcastles - wait for my masterpiece.

Despite the dodgy weather, the day was considered a success with all participants enjoying a refreshing outing on the resort’s private beach.

The next event for the PILC begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday June 1st at the Amari Orchid Resort. This time it’s for the adults - the ladies will host a ‘Meet & Greet’ for members and their spouses, and everyone is welcome. For more information call Arlette on 01 825 2668 or fax 038 300 500.

Students focus on UN

Students from The Regent’s School recently visited the United Nations Organisation in Bangkok as part of their Year 11 and ‘A’ level studies in Modern World History. The group attended presentations given by UN staff on the UN’s role in the modern world and in particular, the role of the UN in Thailand. Projects in this country include dealing with the trafficking of women and children, and AIDS programmes.

The students were impressed with the scope of the work carried out by this global organisation and were pleased to have the opportunity to learn more during their visit.

Louise Black, currently in 6th form commented that it was good to see the reality of what they had been studying in class. “We have read a lot about the UN and its work around the world and this visit gave us the opportunity to talk to UN staff and learn about projects here in Thailand.”

Students from The Regent’s School during their recent fact finding visit to the UN in Bangkok.

Internet to open up education for students in remote areas

The Distance Learning Foundation (DLF) is to introduce internet-based learning in addition to its teaching via satellite.

Unveiling the DLF e-Learning project, Kwankaeow Wacharothai said that satellite-based education was at the mercy of weather conditions, with students unable to receive satellite signals during rainy weather. Internet-based education also allowed 24-hour educational access to students at Sukhothaithammathirat Open University who were unable to take part in classes due to illness.

The project will collaborate between the DLF, Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT), the Thai Telecommunications Association, and the Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology Education, the Ministry of Education, the National Center for Electronics and Technology, Advance Vision Systems Co. and Sisco Systems Co.

Sutham Malila, governor of the TOT, said that Internet-based education requires none of the high-cost equipment necessitated by satellite-based learning. Each school participating in the project will be given a telephone line for Internet access, he said, adding that at present 20,000 schools throughout Thailand remain without a telephone.

The project will kick off on June 5, and was designed to honor His Majesty the King’s policies on education.

Education Minister Suwit Khunkitti said that the project had also tested interactive links with the National Center for Flexible Learning in Sweden, in accordance with an agreement between the two countries concerning support for distance education.

A group of 30 teachers would receive initial training at Klaikangwon Palace in Hua Hin, with the teachers’ computer systems linking up to those in Sweden.

“We are living in the digital age. There are no borders, and no such thing as distance. The use of technology in supporting education is vital,” he said, adding that the project would save money and offer children enjoyable education.

The education minister said that 80,000 schools run by the ministry currently suffered from teacher shortages. The use of technology in education would help solve this problem.

He emphasized that the curriculum of the project would focus on creative learning, with students encouraged to search out answer and experiment for themselves. Students would be able to engage in both interactive teaching and two-way TV conferencing, with the TOT taking full responsibility for all charges, thanks to a donation from HRH the King. (TNA)

ESBEC - Improving environment for the people of Thailand

John L. Hamilton, site manager of the Eastern Seaboard Environmental Complex (ESBEC), was the guest speaker on the topic of waste disposal and recycling for the Earth Week Activity at International School Eastern Seaboard.