CrazyExpat

Schools in Thailand will soon adopt an innovative education system that will help young learners perform better in both science and mathematics. An award-winning firm is preparing to introduce the initiative, called LEARN Education, to many schools across the country. And the educational innovation has already garnered positive results at 30 test schools. “Student performance has improved by 31 per cent in the Ordinary National Educational Test (Onet) during the three years that the LEARN Education system has been implemented,” said Tanin Timing, managing director of Learn Education. Conducted through collaboration between the firm and Sahawit School in Suphan Buri province, the study shows that the LEARN Education system has made learning at schools all the more interesting, fun and efficient. Today, the LEARN Education system is being used in 30 schools nationwide. “We plan to increase this number to 40-50 schools by the end of this year,” Tanin said. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/New-system-to-focus-on-science-and-maths-in-select-30272067.html

Thailand ranks 62 out of 70 countries in a global ranking of English skills by EF Education First. The education company yesterday released the fifth annual edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), the world’s largest ranking of countries by English skills. The report identifies global and regional English-language learning trends and analyses the relationship between countries’ English proficiency and their economic competitiveness. This year’s EF EPI report profiles all 70 ranked countries, using test data from 910,000 adult English-language learners. Thailand scored 45.35 out of 100, while Sweden (70.94) was on top, following by the Netherlands (70.58) and Denmark (70.05). In Asean countries, Singapore ranked 12th with a score of 61.08, followed by Malaysia at 14th (60.30), Vietnam at 29th (53.81) and Indonesia at 32nd (52.91). http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thailand-ranks-62nd-out-of-70-in-English-skills-30272214.html

From Monday, November 2 students at over 4,000 schools across Thailand will find their classroom study time reduced by two hours per day as part of a government initiative to improve education standards. The scheme, which was initially announced in August by Education Minister Dapong Rattanasuwa, is being introduced because many educators and academics believe Thai students’ overloaded study schedules are detrimental to their learning. Traditionally Thai students have studied between 1,000 and 1,200 hours per year, considerably more than students in North America, Europe, and Japan. This new initiative will reduce the hours of classroom learning to 840 hours per year, far closer to the 800 hours per year recommended by UNESCO. Students enrolled at schools participating in the pilot will study core subjects (Math, Science, Thai, English) between 8am and 2pm. After 2pm the students will then have the opportunity to participate in a range of extracurricular activities such as Art, Music, Dance and PE. http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/2015/11/thailand-cuts-class-time-in-more-than-4000-schools/

As a junta-appointed committee attempts to craft Thailand’s 20th constitution in less than a century, Buddhist activists are pushing to add something unprecedented: a state religion. Theravada Buddhism shapes life in Thailand so much that it might be mistaken for the official faith: By law, the King must be Buddhist, and he outfits the country’s famous Emerald Buddha in a new seasonal costume three times each year on the grounds of the Grand Palace. Western tourists flocking to Bangkok would be hard-pressed to envision Thailand without its temples, monks collecting alms, and pictures of the King, which dot everything from currency to busy roadways. But even though roughly 95 percent of the country practices Buddhism, it has never been proclaimed “official,” despite enjoying some legal protections. Previous attempts to toughen up penalties for “offending” or “contaminating” the religion have ended in failure and protests. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/1025/Will-Buddhism-become-Thailand-s-state-religion

I have friends who wish to make Thailand their home and are looking to do a ESL course in order to teach. They are both in their 60's. What are some of the good ESL schools in Thailand?

There are many great schools in Thailand. What do you consider to be the best of them?

The prices of Thai International Schools are lower than other schools in the region and are internationally recognized as being excellent. I have visited several of them over the years and have been impressed with the facility, teachers and academic rigor.

The International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) is perhaps more ready than any other Thai-based private or public endeavor for the inauguration of the Asean Economic Community at the end of this year. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the association is fully geared up to help cement Thailand's reputation as a hub of international education in Southeast Asia. Association president Usa Somboon says the emphasis is now stronger than ever on its mission to provide the best-quality education possible while at the same time raising the bar for international schools in Thailand. The association is committed to producing "global citizens", she says, by giving students the skills they'll need in a rapidly changing world. "The association represents 113 of the 147 international schools in Thailand and, together with other government and private organizations, designs the curriculum," Usa says. "The growth of international schools in Thailand has helped boost the national economy, with up to Bt20 billion generated annually. Our standards are ranked among the highest in Asia, and three to five new schools open each year, with more and more coming in the future to cope with demand. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/High-marks-forInternational-Schools-30271334.html

King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, one of the leading educational institutions of science and technology in Thailand, has signed an agreement to establish a technology hub to produce regenerative energy or solar power with Fah Chai Engineering Company Limited, the sales agent of solar inverter from KACO new energy in Thailand. The MOU was agreed upon between Assistant Professor Doctor Anirach Mingkhan Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Technology and Management and Mr. Phiphat Phakhananyoothin the Managing Director of Fah Chai Engineering Limited at King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Prachinburi Campus. A technology hub aims to produce energy from solar power promoting alternative energy source according to government policy. The trend of power demand in Thailand tends to increase over the past years due to the expansion of economic sectors ranging from industry, agriculture, logistics and energy demand in households to many more. Therefore, it is necessary for Thailand to increase its energy supply capacity to meet the demand. To increase energy supply capacity, the government has come up with a Power Development Plan 2015 (PDP 2015) to balance all sources of energy to make a secured power stability system for country. All sources of renewable energy are promoted. Especially, solar energy is an alternative choice that is suitable for the terrain and the climate of Thailand. Assistant Professor Doctor Anirach Mingkhan Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Technology and Management stated the objective of this specific cooperation. “The establishment of the technology hub to produce regenerative energy from solar power is a result from the cooperation between the university and Fah Chai Engineering Limited, with the support of the Thai and German government. The project has a duration period of 3 years where technical knowledge will be taught in terms of design, installation and maintenance of regenerative energy or solar power which is one of the alternative sources of energy suitable for Thailand. This collaborative project to establish the technology hub to produce regenerative energy from solar power will provide funds to support research and development in areas that relates to production of energy from solar power, which also includes special training on topics that help educate students and public on the regenerative energy from solar power. In addition, there will be academic skill competition on design and installation of the regenerative energy or solar power system that will help promote and support the study and teaching to the Professors and students resulting in creating more research and development in terms of technology to create the most benefit commercially and also to encourage this academic knowledge to the community.” http://prnw.cbe.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/king-mongkuts-university-of-technology-north-bangkok-joins-hands-with-private-sector-establishing-a-technology-hub-in-thailand-2.html

Thailand's economy fell one notch to 32nd in the world. This is in part based on many factors. However, higher education was one of the shining lights for Thailand. Source: World Economic Forum See also: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/715148/thailand-slides-in-survey

Thailand’s ruling military junta is reportedly planning to set up a Chinese-style Great Firewall in order to boost its ability to block or censor websites and services it doesn’t like. The proposal was apparently discovered online by a Thai Twitter user Prem Sichanugrist earlier this week, who stumbled across it in an official government repository of cabinet resolutions posted online, Telecom Asia reports. The resolution from Thailand’s military leaders, led by General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, allegedly orders the Ministry of information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the national police to “set up a single internet gateway in order to control inappropriate websites and to control the flow of information into the country from overseas via the internet.” Sichanugrist also came across a second order that gave agencies until September 4 to suggest which laws need to be amended to allow authorities to start blocking websites legally.

Concern is mounting in Thailand about the condition of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has reigned since 1946. His youngest child, Princess Chulabhorn, made an unusual public appeal last week for recitations of the Buddhist Pochangkaparitra healing prayer for her 87-year-old father, who has spent much of the past several years in a hospital in the capital. King Bhumibol, also known as Rama IX, last appeared in public earlier this month when he briefly left his suite inside Siriraj Hospital. Since then, palace medical bulletins have noted blood infections, fever, and lung inflammation. He is said to have improved, but national anxiety persists. The heir apparent, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, has not attained the exalted level of adoration given to his parents. On a scorching Sunday in mid-August he led a 43-kilometer mass bicycle ride in tribute to his ailing 83-year-old mother, Queen Sirikit. The nationally televised event, with more than 145,000 cyclists and 9,000 police officers, was seen as demonstrating to a nation under army rule that the military backs the crown prince to succeed his father. http://www.voanews.com/content/king-in-declining-health-future-thailand-monarchy/2973605.html

BANGKOK, 21 September 2015 (NNT)- A campaign to stop violence against women and children dubbed ‘Break the chain for mom’ has been launched in Pathum Thani in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s Birthday anniversary. Privy Councilor Dr. Kasem Wattanachai presided over the opening ceremony of the campaign earlier today at Phatum Thani Hospital. According to Pathum Thani Governor Pongsathorn Sajjacholaphan, domestic violence has risen and become more complicated in the modern society. Phatum Thani Hospital has organized the ‘Break the chain for mom’ campaign to raise awareness on laws concerning domestic violence and human trafficking as well as various types of abuse against children and women. It is also aimed at helping those who have fallen victim to domestic violence. Around 400 people from related networks joined the opening ceremony today. http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNSOC5809210010017

ANGKOK, 21 September 2015 (NNT)-National Police Chief, Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, has revealed that 52 police officials consisting of commanders and deputy commanders will change their posts 2015. The statement comes following a meeting with the police commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. The decision follows discussions with Deputy Police Chief, Police General Chaktip Chaijinda regarding the qualifications of each individual, in regards to their abilities, suitability, and seniority. The police chief added that the meeting also discussed the transfer of Central Investigation Bureau officials, Provincial Police Regional 8 and 9 officials, as well as 32 immigration officials. These transfers have resulted from their involvement in human trafficking. The meeting also agreed that the Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Police Major General Nathathorn Prausoontorn, be appointed the next Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau. http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNPOL5809220010005

Deadly bombing of Bangkok shrine "unlikely" to be linked to international terrorism, a government spokesman says. The spokesman went on to say that the group that organized this is not a "small" group but rather a large group of people. He also suggested that they were not an international group but most likely home grown.

The bomb attack that killed 20 people at Bangkok's Erawan shrine on Monday was carried out by a "network", Thailand's chief of police has said. Police have released a sketch of the main suspect, a man in a yellow T-shirt who was filmed by security cameras leaving a backpack at the shrine. The Hindu shrine, popular with tourists andBuddhists, reopened on Wednesday. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has described the incident as the worst-ever attack on Thailand. Thai police chief Somyot Poompanmoung told the Associated Press news agency on Wednesday that the shrine attack was the work of more than one person. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33984177

The new Ambassador to Thailand has been approved by the US Senate. http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/646652/new-us-ambassador-to-thailand-approved-by-us-senate

Militaries tend to justify coups d’etat by making assurances of political competence: The previous government failed the people, and military technocrats will now restore order, cleanse the system and get big things done. The generals who seized power in Thailand in May 2014, however, have essentially abdicated that argument. To be sure, Prayuth Chan-Ocha and his fellow officers pledged to restore political calm, end corruption and bring happiness to tens of millions not benefiting from $373 billion of annual output. But 440 days on, Prayuth’s regime has only made things worse. Thailand’s growth is the slowest among developing nations, its exports may contract 4 percent this year and Bangkok is the only major Asian stock market experiencing outflows. The currency is down 7 percent in six months. Thailand’s new regime has learned the hard way that running Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy isn’t as easy its officials once thought. Prayuth’s main problem is that he lacks an economic strategy. He and his team are so preoccupied micro-managing small-scale public order issues (like banning alcohol sales near schools) that they’re neglecting the big picture. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-08-04/thailand-s-generals-don-t-have-an-economic-plan

Thailand was the only Asian country to make it into the top 10 most searched destinations on travel search engine Skyscanner in the first half of this year. According to Skyscanner, the variety of destinations… According to Skyscanner, the variety of destinations and activities suitable for various lifestyles and needs has enabled Thailand to remain a year-round hot destination for travellers. “Our wealth of data indicates Thailand is an evergreen destination, attracting visitors both locally and internationally with our natural and cultural beauty,” said Grace Areerat, marketing manager at Skyscanner Thailand. Thailand’s position as the only Asian country on the top 10 list is a reflection of efforts to promote it as a destination for locals and foreigners alike to travel to and within the country all year round. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/642872/thailand-is-asia-most-searched-travel-destination

Since the military took over, there has been little effort to bring Thai students up to the standards it should aspire to be. Instead, they require students to recite the 12 values the leaders state are most important. This does not help students to be active learners or critial thinkers. Instead, it teachers them to be blind disciples. Is this what the coup leaders want? Check out this interesting Washington Post article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/07/30/thinking-critically-about-democracy-and-education-reform-in-thailand/

Thailand’s government is under increasing pressure to overhaul the cabinet and bolster the economy as falling exports, eroding consumer confidence and a slump in manufacturing portend one of the region’s slowest expansions. The finance ministry this week cut its forecasts for exports and gross domestic product growth for a third time this year. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, who seized power in a military coup in May 2014, has said he may reshuffle the cabinet, half comprising military personnel with little experience in their portfolios. “With the economy in such bad shape, the government is under pressure to do something,” said Kampon Adireksombat, an economist at Tisco Securities Co. in Bangkok. “The government should reshuffle the cabinet to boost confidence and come up at least with short-term measures to boost the economy.” For a country that was once a manufacturing powerhouse, the decline is telling. The factory output index has fallen every month but one since March 2013, while exports have declined every month this year and are forecast to contract for a record third year. Meanwhile, the junta hasn’t yet finalized a new constitution that it says is needed before an election is held, with critics saying the draft risks deepening a political divide. Thailand’s financial markets offer little respite. It is the only major equity market in Asia that has posted outflows this year, while corporate debt sales look set to miss last year’s record. The baht has weakened more than 6 percent against the dollar in the past six months, the worst performer among major currencies in Asia. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-29/post-coup-thailand-sees-economic-slump-putting-pressure-on-junta

This summer, Lydia De Leon, 17, of Humble, spent two weeks in Thailand learning about Thai culture and volunteering with rescued elephants. Traveling with the Boston-based Loop Abroad, Humble High student De Leon was part of a small team that volunteered directly with rescued elephants at an elephant sanctuary. The group spent one week at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand to work hands-on with the animals and learn about animal rescue and conservation on a larger scale. The Elephant Nature Park is home to over 40 elephants who have been rescued from trekking, logging or forced breeding programs. http://abc13.com/society/humble-hs-student-travels-to-thailand-to-save-elephants/886402/ Many of them have been abused and suffer from chronic injuries. At the Elephant Nature Park, they are cared for by volunteers from all over the world. Students were able to feed, bathe, and care for elephants, as well as learning about their life stories. The Elephant Nature Park is also home to over 400 dogs and 100 cats, as well as rabbits and water buffalo, and is sustained in huge part by the work of weekly volunteers like Lydia. During her time at the Elephant Nature Park, Lydia learned about elephant tourism and behavior. She helped with the many chores needed to run the park, such as preparing elephant food, cleaning elephant cages, chopping corn and grass to feed the elephants, and planting in the ENP’s gardens. For the rest of her time in Thailand, De Leon explored all aspects of Thai culture, from meeting with Buddhist monks to visiting a hill tribe village to learning to cook Thai food. Of her trip, De Leon said, “I had an amazing experience.” http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/humble-high-school-student-travels-to-thailand-to-save-elephants/article_29a6dcad-1a31-50ca-b78d-a6b716d430e2.html

Despite years of political turmoil, Thailand remains a popular tourist destination and a longstanding hotbed for casino development speculation. The Land of Smiles expects more than 26 million visitors this year, nearly 5 million of them from China, with Malaysia, Russia, Japan, South Korea and India, all restricted casino markets, in the next five slots. That’s an awfully tempting target, and after a fall in visitor arrivals and tourism revenues last year, Thailand may be ripe to try its luck with casinos. It’s not just about tourists Thai nationals bet billions at underground casinos in Thailand and legal casinos in neighboring countries. Donaco International, which this month completed its takeover of Star Vegas Casino and Club, the largest of ten casinos just across border in Poipet, Cambodia, reported that punters bet nearly $4 billion there in the fiscal year ended June 30. Star Vegas customers are nearly all Thais, and, thanks to improvements in road links to Bangkok and the military government’s crackdown on illegal casinos, plus more vigorous marketing, revenue rose 46.5% from the previous 12 months. The combination of locals and tourists makes Thailand an extremely tempting gaming market. http://www.forbes.com/sites/muhammadcohen/2015/07/28/thailand-takes-another-flutter-at-casinos-las-vegas-sands-wants-to-play/

Emiratis can now enter 85 countries without having a prior visa and they include the UAE's five partners in the GCC as well as 34 European nations and other countries, according to the UAE foreign ministry. UAE citizens are allowed directly into 69 countries worldwide while they are granted visa at the airport by 16 other nations, the Ministry said in a statement on its Twitter page, carried by the Arabic language daily Albayan. They include the GCC states of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman as well as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Comoros, Eritrea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Brunei, Kyrgyzstan, Botswana, Seychelles, Mauritius, Swaziland, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Georgia, Serbia, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. In Europe, the list includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Malta, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the Vatican, Andorra, San Marino and Monaco. The countries where visas are issued for Emirates at their airports include Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Maldives, Tajikistan, Cook Islands, Niue Islands, Sudan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Britain, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Australia. http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/emiratis-can-enter-85-countries-without-prior-visa-2015-07-28-1.598325

CHIANG MAI - Thailand and Myanmar signed an agreement on Tuesday to allow citizens with ordinary passports to make visa-free visits of up to 14 days. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn and his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin during the Thai-Myanmar Joint Commission meeting in the northern city. It will take effect on Aug 11, a statement released after the meeting said, with no further details. The cabinet approved the agreement on June 21 for signing on Tuesday. It allows Thai and Myanmar citizens with ordinary passports to enter through international airports and stay for up to 14 days. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/636756/thailand-myanmar-sign-visa-free-agreement