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Navy opens ‘hearts and minds’ campaign for southern youth
Patcharapol Panrak
As separatists continue their campaign of violence in Thailand’s
Muslim-dominated south, the Royal Thai Navy has opened up a new front, this
one for the hearts and minds of the region’s youth.
 Southern
youths gather for a group photo at the Royal Thai Marine Corps’ Krom Luang
Chumporn Camp in Sattahip.
The Naval Civil Affairs Department took 50 southern youngsters on a field
trip to the Royal Thai Marine Corps’ Krom Luang Chumporn Camp in Sattahip as
part of the Navy’s “Thai Re-Unity Project.” The program aims to introduce
the young southerners to other lifestyles, particularly that of the armed
forces.
Marines Deputy Chief of Staff Capt. Kaweewat Ngamphoutong greeted the
students and started their re-education with a lecture on the “mariner’s
mission” of protecting the security and sovereignty of the Thai nation.
Capt Banpot Kerdphu, deputy director-general for the Naval Civil Affairs
Department said the field trip is intended to “open their eyes and ears to
the lives of Thai people in other parts of the country and learn their
perspectives.” He said the ultimate goal was for the youth to see they can
live in peace among diverse religions and cultures under the same
nationality and monarchy.
 Marines
Deputy Chief of Staff Capt. Kaweewat Ngamphoutong presents a gift to one of
the students.
“This is a great opportunity for southern youths to learn so that they could
help protect the country and develop the nation’s mission to be in line with
Royal Thai Navy policy, in creating good attitudes and be ready for
cooperation with the navy and government agencies to help solve the
conflicts and problems that have arisen in the south,” said Rear Adm.
Sonthaya Noichaya, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Marine Corps.
Sonthaya added that, for decades, Thais have complained that southern youth
have not been educated well-enough about the world around them. That was
because, he said, every time violence breaks out classes are halted and
social development has been interrupted. By taking the students out of that
environment, he said, it’s possible to work toward a solution that leads to
peace.
A separatist insurgency movement began in the 1970s but flared again in 2004
in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces. Since then more than 3,000
people have been killed.
The ultimate goal is for
youths to see they can live in peace among diverse religions and cultures
under the same nationality and monarchy.
Chonburi prepares fun,
learning for Children’s Day 2010
Children perform on stage at last year’s
event.
Theerarak Suthatiwong
Chonburi will celebrate Children’s Day 2010 with games,
education and religion at Chonburi City Hall Jan. 9.
Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. and will run throughout the day.
Activities include painting, story-telling, swing rides and a cannon
show, as well as a tour of city hall and a visit to a “dharma room”
where the Provincial Administrative Organization will install a Buddha
statute where kids can pay respect.
There will also be music and cultural shows, assorted games and an
academic contest. Health checkups will be offered as well as seminars on
food safety, traffic signals, Thai traditional massage, bio-agriculture,
sculpting and journalism.
At a Dec. 24 planning meeting at Chonburi City Hall, Provincial
Administrative Organization Chief Executive Witthaya Kunplome said the
objective of this year’s Children’s Day commemoration is to help kids
express themselves, create a good environment for learning and get them
to understand the importance of love and unity in society. He said he
would also like to see the children get a grounding in HM the King’s
sufficiency-economy philosophy as well as ethnic awareness. But to do
that, he said, parents need to participate.
While fun will certainly be foremost, the day will also be about
learning, with lectures about HM the King, the dangers of drugs,
managing natural resources and digital communication.
Little Duck Nursery
celebrates Christmas in Rayong
Another happy, fun filled
Christmas party, thanks to Tic (left) and the staff at Little Duck
Nursery in Rayong.
Fun, food, games surprises and gifts were given to
all of the 30 plus babies at Little Duck Nursery in Rayong.
 The
children enjoy a great day.
All of this would not be possible without Ms Imtub (Tic) the director’s
tireless efforts, ability and love for the Thai babies, said Rev Stephen
Brusini who has assisted in support of Little Duck Nursery since its
inception some 8 years ago.
“I, Ms Imtub and the staff are exhausted,” said Rev Stephen, “but it is
well worth the effort when you see how happy and excited the babies are.
It makes you feel good inside to know you are able to brighten up a
child’s life.”
Each baby also brings home a surprise bag full of snacks, and toys.
Little Duck Nursery in
Rayong celebrates its 8th annual Christmas Party.
Bangkok students get taste of military life, plant coral
More than 160 Bangkok high
school students plant coral in Sattahip.
Patcharapol Panrak
More than 160 Bangkok high school students got a taste of military life
and helped restore the marine environment when they spent a day Chao Din
Camp in Sattahip.
The 164 students from St. Michaels School in Sathorn were introduced
Dec. 21 to the discipline, regulation and sacrifice military conscripts
go through to serve their country. They also were taken to Toey Ngam
Beach to plant coral.
Officials from the Marine Command at the Psychological Operations
Company at Prince Chumporn Camp welcomed the students with a song about
the sea and marine life. The aim was to inspire them to take interest in
nature relating to sea life, plants, mammals and humans and together
plant coral as a good dead to honor the monarchy.
St. Michael’s teacher Pattana Thamdee said administrators wanted
students in the private school to understand the military lifestyle so
they might grow up with discipline and be willing to sacrifice their
happiness and lives for the good of the nation and their religion. All
of the students who attended were under the military’s care and
conducted themselves well.
200 Sattahip children, residents turn out to help AIDS hospice
Offerings are given to
Alongkot Tikapanyo, abbot of the Prabat Nampu Temple.
Patcharapol Panrak
About 200 small children from the Sri Daruna Children’s Development
Center, Sattahip residents and public officials joined to make merit for
the New Year by giving offerings of food and money to Prabat Nampu
Temple to support 4,000-bed AIDS hospice.
The offerings were given to Alongkot Tikapanyo, abbot of the Prabat
Nampu Temple, Dec. 28 with Sattahip Mayor Narong Bunbancherdsri leading
the delegation. He said the activity was not only for good luck at the
turn of the year, but to help build the children’s consciousness of the
need to help those in distress.
Prabat Nampu Temple is located about 150 meters from the Dhammarak
Foundation, one of the largest AIDS hospices in the world. It cares for
4,000 patients in their final days, including about 1,300 children. The
center has monthly expense of 4 million baht. The government only
supplies about 100,000 baht a month in funding and the rest comes from
donations, Alongkot said.
The center has survived two major financial crises in 1997 and 2006 and
made it through only through the kind-hearted help of efforts such as
those this past week, the priest said.
About 200 small children
from the Sri Daruna Children’s Development Center joined to make merit
for the New Year by giving offerings to Prabat Nampu Temple to support
the AIDS hospice there.
Redemptorist School for the Blind students given free eye exams
Students from the
Redemptorist School for the Blind
receive free eye checkups from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Students from the Redemptorist School for the Blind received free eye
checkups from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Doctors performed exams for the visually impaired students Dec. 16. They
also provided free counseling and medical advice for attendees of the
school under the patronage of HRH Princess Sirindhorn.
Education Minister promotes educational TV in Rayong
Theerarak Suthatiwong
Leading teachers from around Thailand will take to the airwaves for
“Tutor TV,” a free broadcast aimed at giving rural students a crack at a
better education.
 Education
Minister Jurin Laksanavisit goes live to promote educational television
in Rayong.
Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit and Rayong Gov. Sayumporn Limthai
led a delegation of educators and students to the Tutor TV channel
headquarters at Rayong Wittayakhom School Dec. 25.
Jurin said the channel, which debuted Jan. 2, can help all students, but
especially those in outlying areas. The lessons and subject summaries
are broadcast free on Channel 11 every Saturday from 10am - 12 noon.
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