An Expected Increase in the Number of Thai and Foreign Tourists during Songkran Festival

(04/04/2013)

As Songkran Festival, the traditional Thai New Year, is approaching, many provinces nationwide are preparing various activities to celebrate this festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set aside 30 million baht to support Songkran celebrations in 13 provinces, namely Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phuket. According to TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, more than 2.7 tourists are expected to travel in Thailand during the Songkran period, from 11 to 16 April. The number represents an increase of 10 percent over the same period of 2012. Out of this number, over two million will be Thai tourists and 678,000 will be international visitors. The Songkran period is likely to generate about 11 billion baht in tourism income for the country, accounting for an increase of 20 percent. During this period, Thailand is expected to welcome 177 charter flights from such major tourism markets as China, Russia, and Malaysia. Although the entire celebration period covers one week or more in some rural areas, the highlight of the celebrations is between 13 and 15 April. In 2013, the Government has set the Songkran holiday from 12 April to 16 to promote traditional Thai culture and give a better chance for people living far from their hometowns to visit their families. Songkran Day, 13 April, is also observed as the National Day for Older Persons. The Ministry of Culture has prepared three events for the upcoming Songkran Festival. The first event, scheduled for 11 April at 2:00 p.m. at the Thailand Cultural Center in Bangkok, will be a ceremony to pour lustral water onto the palms of national artists as a gesture of respect for the elderly. In the second event, the Ministry of Culture will join hands with Chulalongkorn University in organizing Songkran celebrations from 13 to 15 April, between midday and 9:00 p.m. at Siam Square in Bangkok. It will also feature a fashion show of pha khao ma, a traditional loincloth still widely worn. The third event will be Songkran celebrations in the Lanna style, to be held at the Three Kings Monument in Mueang district of Chiang Mai, from 13 to 15 April. It will revive Songkran traditions passed on from Lanna, the old kingdom of Chiang Mai. The Ministry of Culture will launch a campaign to encourage Songkran celebrants to be aware of acceptable conduct and not to cause disturbances to others. They are not allowed to consume alcohol at the events, while safety measures will be stepped up. Often referred to as the “Water Festival” among foreigners, Songkran has been celebrated as Thailand’s most popular festival since ancient times, and this event may well reflect the essence of “Thainess.” The celebrations feature parades, dancing, and traditional Thai games. People also splash water on each other as a New Year blessing.

19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation

(04/04/2013)

Beijing: The Senior Officials of ASEAN and China held their 19th Consultation here on Tuesday, and discussed wide ranging issues of mutual interests and concern.

The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and H.E. Zhang Yesui, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.  Thailand is the current ASEAN Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

The Senior Officials discussed ways and means to further strengthen ASEAN-China relations, including preparations to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership this year.

H.E. Sihasak said that one of the key activities to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership would be the convening of the ASEAN-China Special Foreign Ministers Meeting in Beijing.

“We also hope to undertake meaningful activities to show-case our Strategic Partnership," said H.E. Sihasak.

The Senior Officials also exchanged views on: a) enhancing cooperation in connectivity; b) strengthening maritime cooperation; c) the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC); d) regional architecture; e) regional and international issues;  and, f) non-traditional security issues, including  food and energy security, climate change, disaster management, counter-terrorism, and other transnational crimes.

On the Implementation of the Declaration on the Code of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), the Senior Officials reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is very important for all countries in the region and will enhance the Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and China. In line with the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on the 10th Anniversary of the DOC adopted at the 15th ASEAN-China Summit in Cambodia in 2012, the Senior Officials agreed to uphold commitments on the implementation of the DOC in a full and effective manner. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on joint cooperative projects and activities under the DOC, to maintain the momentum of dialogue and consultation to enhance trust and confidence, and to work toward the adoption of the COC on the basis of consensus. They further agreed to continue exchanging views on the way forward.

The Senior Officials of ASEAN, Ambassadors of ASEAN Member States to China and the representative of the ASEAN Secretariat paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Wang Yi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Both sides agreed on the need to continue to advance their Strategic Partnership.

ASEAN and Partners Firmly Committed to Narrowing the Development Gap

(04/04/2013)

The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force and Ambassadors and representatives from the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and External Parties kicked off its inaugural meeting to deliberate on mobilizing resources for and contribution to the implementation of the IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015).

Preceded by the 42nd IAI Task Force Meeting, the consultation was a response to the growing interest in the IAI by the Dialogue Partners and External Parties. Initiated as a new format by current IAI Task Force Chair Viet Nam, the meeting serves to share information among IAI stakeholders to foster a better understanding of the available resources for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV) and determines the approaches to improve delivery of IAI activities.

“ASEAN highly values the interest, participation and contribution of the Dialogue Partners and External Parties to its programmes, especially the IAI. It is necessary that a forum be created to allow an open discussion to raise any issue of concern that will help promote the mutual interest of all stakeholders,” said IAI Task Force Chair H.E. Mr. Vu Dang Dzung, Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to ASEAN.

The meeting also welcomed representatives from Australia, People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, United States of America and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

H.E. Mr. Kimihiro Ishikane, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN emphasized that successfully tackling the gap among countries in the region will help develop the quality of integration and cohesiveness of ASEAN. “It is important for Dialogue Partners, including Japan, to remain involved in the IAI process so that specialized assistance can be provided in particular areas and sectors,” said the Ambassador.

To further enhance the cooperation with Dialogue Partners and External Parties, ASEAN will be setting a clear set of guidelines and procedures for considering projects under the IAI that will aim to encourage interested partners to contribute more to the Work Plan. This new initiative was welcomed by the US Mission to ASEAN who is seeking to heighten their engagement with ASEAN, particularly with the CLMV countries through the Lower Mekong Initiative. Similar responses were also received from China and the Republic of Korea who have immediately found a strong interest in the IAI to help build capacity of CLMV officials at the sectoral level.

ASEAN expressed appreciation to all the Dialogue Partners and External Parties for their continued support and looks forward to working with them through the respective programmes.

The Initiative for ASEAN Integration was launched by the ASEAN Heads of State at their Summit in 2000 with the objectives of Narrowing the Development Gap and accelerating economic integration in the newer members of ASEAN which are Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.

Thailand-Myanmar relations is further strengthened through teaching Thai language

(04/04/2013)

On 1 April 2013, the 1st Project Steering Committee was held for the Project on Teaching Thai Language at Yangon University of Foreign Languages (YUFL), co-chaired by Ms. Suchada Thaibunthao, Deputy Director-General of Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and     Dr. Lwin Lwin Soe, Rector of YUFL.  

The meeting reviewed the past activities and discussed the work plan for 2013, which would include postgraduate scholarships for lecturers, training on development of teaching materials, dispatch of Thai language teaching assistants, provision of teaching materials, and exchange of students.

On this occasion, TICA presented books to YUFL for use as teaching materials, while YUFL presented gifts as token of appreciation for the kind support and close cooperation.

 

Afterwards, Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar, hosted lunch for the Thai delegation and the YUFL team.  Both sides discussed additional activities which could be implemented to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Thailand-Myanmar Diplomatic Relations.

 

YUFL opened the Thai Language Department in 2010 with the support of Naresuan University.  Currently, there are around 300 students majoring in Thai language.  Each year, more students express their interests in studying Thai language than YUFL can accommodate.  Such increasing interest in Thai language reflects not only the popularity of the language itself, but also the business and career opportunities after graduation due to increasing demand from the Thai private sector investing in Myanmar for local staff who are fluent in Thai language.

Cabinet Approves MOU on Thai-German Education towards Excellence

(05/04/2013)

On 31 March 2013, the Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Thailand and Germany regarding the bilateral education towards excellence program as proposed by the Ministry of Education. The proposal was as follows:

1. Approval of making and signing an MOU between Thailand and Germany. In case any minor corrections are needed, the Ministry of Education will be able to discuss these with the Foreign Affairs Ministry without re-proposing the MOU to the Cabinet; and

2. The Minister of Education will be allowed to sign the MOU.

The major subject of this MOU concerns the development of bilateral education in Thailand with the use of the famous professional education system in Germany to motivate Thai vocational education. Initially, private companies in Germany, such as BMW, Bosch and B. Grimm, will design a curriculum for vocational education with the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) in which vocational students will have a chance to study and work, with scholarships available if needed.

The Ministry of Education, after carefully reading the MOU, viewed that it was mainly concerned with the promotion of educational cooperation, and is not a contract that will change Thai sovereignty or affect our economic stability. Therefore, this MOU is not an agreement according to the second paragraph of Article 190 of the Thai Constitution of 2007 which would therefore have to be approved by the Thai parliament. As a matter of fact, it concerns only international relations.

Celebrating 121st Anniversary of MOE Establishment

(05/04/2013)

The Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, along with the Deputy Minister, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, senior officers and members of the Ministry of Education's senior teachers and civil servants club, attended a Buddhist ceremony offering alms to monks and paying homage to the MOE's Buddha image, shrine and the statue of King Rama VI. This activity aimed to celebrate the 121st anniversary of the establishment of the MOE on 1 April 2013.

After the ceremony, Mr. Phongthep said that the staff of the Ministry should work together to develop Thai children's education. Thai people and teachers have to think and create a good curriculum and find ways to teach Thai students in order to create human resources who will serve the needs of all sectors of the labor market. Now is a competitive time and future generations will have to adjust themselves to cope with the various changes which will occur.

On the occasion of the 121st anniversary of the establishment of the MOE's establishment, the Ministry also arranged a Buddhist ceremony to pay respect to contributive ministerial staff which had already passed away and a ceremony to award pins to honor those who have worked hard for the Ministry as well as participated in sporting activities between ministerial staff and the media.

Phongthep Opens School Museum in Cholburi

(05/04/2013)

On 29 March 2013, the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, chaired the opening of a multi-purposed building and the opening of a Somdej Phra Buddha Khosajarn (Charoen Sukkhabot) Museum together with the Culture Minister, Mr. Sonthaya Khunpleum, and the board chairman of the Cholburi 'Sukhabot' School. Also attending were the specialist director of the school, Mrs. Kamonphat Thippayakraisornchote, the school board members, teachers and students.

The Minister of Education said that this cooperative event had been organized by homes, Buddhist temples and schools. Actually, should local administrators choose join this cooperation movement on educational management, local education would be strengthened.

Mr. Phongthep added that Buddhist temples played a crucial role in the education of Thai children because the temples provided support to schools which in turn were the heart of national development. He then thanked the school board members and Mr. Sonthaya for their constant support for the sake of Thai students' success. The Minister was glad to learn that a lot of students from this school had become good doctors and engineers.

Finally, Mr. Phongthep said that good facilities provided by the school would improve education and students' morality and ethics. He then thanked everyone who had attended the two ceremonies on behalf of the Ministry of Education.