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Contents

Message from Sakon Nakhon Governor 1Message from the President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University 3

Message from the President of Savannakhet University 5

Message from the Rector of Hue University of Sciences 6Message from the Vice-Rector for International Relations Quang Binh University 7

Report on the background of the project 8

Opening Remarks by Sakon Nakhon Vice Governor 12

The Project of the Thai Student Exchange Program between

Greater Mekong Sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam 15

Group Activity 22

Activity Plan 26Fastfact about Thailand-Laos-Vietnam 35

o Thailand 35o Lao People's Democratic Republic 40o Socialist Republic of Vietnam 44

Sakon Nakhon Province 62Mukdahan Province 66Nakhon Phanom Province 70Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University 73Thai-Lao-Vietnamese Languages 79

o Basic Thai Conversation for Traveler 79

o Vietnamese language 83

o Lao language 99

Students participating on the project 106

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Message from Sakon Nakhon Governor

The Upper Northeastern Provincial Group 2, consisting of Sakon Nakhon,

Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan provinces, have laid down clear policies on

cooperation among three GMS countries, namely Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and eightprovinces along road Route No. 8 and 12. It is noted that the guidelines have

established good and continuous cooperation and development. The cooperation has

built stronger relationships in this region in terms of sustainable education, economy,

society, cultures, tourism and sports. Consequently, The Thai Student Exchange

Program between Greater Mekong Sub-r egion Countries: L aos and Vietnamis an

initiative project carried out by Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University and funded byThe Upper Northeastern Provincial Group 2. The project aims to provide higher

education students opportunities to learn languages and exchange cultures, which

may lead to strengthening mutual understanding and sustainable collaboration for the

future development of the region.

On behalf of Sakon Nakhon people, I would like to take this opportunity to

welcome all teachers, staff and students from Vietnam, Laos and Thailandparticipating in the project. I hope all participants utilize and share their potential to

learn, to transfer their own arts and cultures, as well as sharing their individual

experiences and identity. I would like to extend our appreciation to Sakon Nakhon

Rajabhat University for making possible this project. I would also like to thank all

educational institutions from the three participating countries for sending students,

staff and teachers to participate in the project.

(Mr. Amnat Pagarat)

Sakon Nakhon Governor

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Message from the President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University

The Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekong Sub-r egion

Countr ies: Laos and Vietnamis carried out by Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University

(SNRU) and funded by The Upper Northeastern Provincial Group 2. Although this

international exchange youth project is being held for the first time, Sakon Nakhon

Rajabhat University has continuously established good relationships and corporations

among neighboring countries in terms of education, research, arts, and cultures. In

addition, SNRU offers a wide range of scholarships at undergraduate and post

graduate level for students and officials from Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Moreover, SNRU has held The SNRU International Conference on Cooperation for

Development on the EastWest Economic Corridorannually, in which it receives

delegates from educational institutions from Laos and Vietnam.

On behalf of SNRU, I am glad to welcome teachers, staff, and students from

Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam to join in this exchange project. I wish you every

success and the opportunity to learn from each others cultures. I hope the localcooperation will be an initial step in creating mutual understanding for the future

regional developments in terms of economy and socio-political initiatives.

(Mr. Panya Mahachai)

President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University

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Message from the President of Savannakhet University

The Student Exchange Program between the Greater Mekong Sub-Region

countries: Thailand, Laos and Vietnam is a program enhancing the opportunity of

staff and students in the Mekong Sub-region to exchange and share their academicabilities, languages, glamorous art and culture. Particularly, the participants from

the different institutions under the region along the East - West Economic Corridor

(EWEC). They will share their experience, understand cultural diversity and boost

unity among all participants through a variety of participatory activities.

On behalf of the President of Savannakhet University (SKU), I am very

pleased to welcome all of the participants from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam toinvolve in this program. The activities will assist the participants to develop skills

such as academic, teamwork, understanding adaptation and acceptance each other.

And I also wish all of you have a good achievement. In addition, this program is

an initial pilot project; I hope that the program will be organized in the next academic

year and so on.

Finally, I wish you the best for your future.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bounpong Keorodom

The President of Savannakhet University

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Message from the Rector of Hue University of Sciences

The cooperation for the development among the sub-region countries has been

founded for years. The sustainable and prosperous development entirely depends on

the young generation who need training in the university and college environment.The students in the sub-region countries, however, fail to have the opportunity to get

know and exchange the cultures, histories, etc. Only when the young generation

respect and understand one another do they stimulate to cooperate and co-develop.

Therefore, I appreciate the project which aims at the best of everything, particularly

the targeted subjects are the students.

If the project is maintained for a long term, I believe that the studentsparticipating in the project will understand one another better and they will have

the opportunity to exchange their cultures, customs as well as enhance their

knowledge and communication skills in the foreign countries. This project helps train

the young generation who will contribute to the development of the sub-region

countries (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam).

I wish the Project success and fruitful achievements!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tan

Rector, Hue University of Sciences

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Message from the Vice-Rector for International Relations

Quang Binh University

Quang Binh University is located in Dong Hoi city of Quang Binh province,

in the heart of the north central coast of Vietnam. It was established on October 24th

2006 on the basis of Quangbinh Teachers Training College, founded in 1959.

Over the past 50 years of development, the University has now become

a prestigious center of training teachers, fostering the staff for many sectors and

conducting scientific research projects in the northern central part of Vietnam.

We are offering bachelor degree in 4 main groups: Education, Society Culture

Tourism Economics, Agriculture Forestry Aquaculture, Technology

Engineering. We are responsible for full-time students and in-service training as

well as working adults. We also have good cooperation with many institutions and

universities in the world.

This is the first honor for Quang Binh students to join the international

project. The aim of this project is for students to acquire more knowledge about

language and culture of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Moreover, the students will

have opportunities to improve their social competence when joining this project.

We hope the students will enjoy being part of this international event.

We wish to thank our main sponsors, Rajabhat Sakon Nakon University.

Thanks are also due to many staff who contributed to making the event

a success.

Dr. Le Thi Hoai Thu

Vice-Rector for International Relations

Quang Binh University

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Report on the Background of the Project of Thai Student Exchange ProgramBetween Greater Mekhong Sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam

by Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai,Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat UniversitysVice President

* * * * * *Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana, Vice Governor of Sakon Nakhon

On behalf of the operating committee, lecturers, exchange students and theirmentors and chaperones from higher educational institutions of the three countries, Iwould like to express my deepest gratitude for the honor received from you to cometo preside over the opening ceremony of this Thai Student Exchange Programbetween Greater Mekhong Subregion Countr ies: Laos and Vietnam today.

The project of the Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater MekhongSub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam is derived from the Upper Northeastern

Provincial Group 2: Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Sakon Nakhons lucid andintelligible foreign policies. The three provincial group has given emphasis onstrengthening their solid relationships with the neighboring countriesthose amongThe Kingdom of Thailand, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, and the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam, which use road Routes No. 8 and 12. The association of theeight provinces of these three nations using these roads has been formed with thepurposes to develop the mutually educational, economic, trade, transportation,logistics, arts and cultural exchanges and potentialities. These co-operativedevelopments are based on the equality and multilateral benefits of the citizens in the

three nations. The provincial group of these three nations will be extended to threemore provinces making the establishment of The Eleven Provincial Group of theThree Countries Using Road RouteNo. 8 and 12. The cooperations of these regionalgroups also include the executive summit meeting, relationships enhancement,educational, sports and cultural exchanges, trade and investment promotion, forinstance.

The project of the Thai Student Exchange Program between GreaterMekhong Sub-region Countr ies: Laos and Vietnam has been funded by the UpperNortheastern Provincial Group 2 and Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University is granted

the honor to run the project. The objectives of this program are as the following:1. To promote friendship and understanding among participants2. To exchange and broaden perspectives of the participating countries3. To distribute customs, and traditional cultures of participating countries4. To strengthen the participants work and life harmony and abilities to create

mutual benefits5. To reinforce applicable experiences in youth activities and other various

sections in their own countries after this project.

The major activities of this exchange program can be classified into twocategories.

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The first category is the Vietnamese study at Quang Binh University in theSocialist Republic of Vietnam for the period of three months. Of this category, 6Thai lecturers and personnel have been sent to learn Vietnamese. Each of theselearners is from Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon ProvinceCampus; Rajamagala University of Isan Sakon Nakhon Campus; Nakhon Phanom

University; Navamintarachinee Mukdahan Industrial and Community EducationCollege, Mukdahan Campus; Mukdahan Community College; and Sakon NakhonRajabhat University.

The second category is the student exchange program. This program is aninternational youth camp which languages of the neighboring countries will bestudied; discussions to share ideas and academic and cultural learning are set.Participants of the project will have chances to meet and pay their respects tosignificant social and regional figures . Visits of tourist attractions and historical siteswill also be arranged. Social functions are provided, as well. The second program isscheduled from 8-24 May, 2011 covering 17 days in total. There are 39 students fromtertiary educational institutions in the three countries taking part in this program: 5people are from Savannakhet University, Kham Moune Province, and Boli KhamXay Province of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic; 8 people are from Quang TriTeacher Training College, Quang Binh University, Hue University and VinhUniversity of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and 26 people are from KasetsartUniversity, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus; RajamagalaUniversity of Technology Isan Sakon Nakhon Campus; Nakhon Phanom University;Navamintarachinee Mukdahan Industrial and Community Education College,Mukdahan Campus; Mukdahan Community College; and Sakon Nakhon RajabhatUniversity of the Kingdom of Thailand.

There are 19 mentors and chaperones accompanying these students duringtheir participation in the second program. Consequently, the overall participants ofthe project are 59 people.

In hosting this project, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University has received goodcooperations from participating institutions. We are thankful for their support andhospitality.

At this auspicious moment, I would like to invite the chair of the OpeningCeremony to deliver the opening address, and give a warm welcome to allparticipants.

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.

* * * * * * * * *

. . . .

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Opening Remarks bySakon Nakhon Vice Governor: Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana

Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekhong Sub-region

Countries: Laos and Vietnam

* * * * * *

Vice President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Administrators, Honored

Guests, Speakers, Camp Counselors, and all students who are joining the Thai

Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekhong Subregion Countries: Laos

and Vietnam:

I feel very honored and privileged to have the opportunity to preside over the

opening ceremony of Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekong

Sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam this day. On behalf of the people of SakonNakhon Province, Mukdahan Province and Nakhon Phanom Province, whose

provinces make up the Upper Northeastern Provincial Group 2,

I would like to welcome everyone to Sakon Nakhon, Thailand. So to all the teachers,

staff and students from the universities in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam who are

attending the project of Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekhong

Sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam,please accept my very warm welcome.

According to the report imparted by Sakon Nakhon Rajabaht Universitysvice president, most of you have acknowledged that the Upper Northeastern

Provincial Group 2 has realized the significance of the co-operations of all nations

located in the Greater Mekhong Sub-region. Our policies, thus, have been upgraded

to respond appropriately. For example, we have established cooperation of the Eight

Provincial Groups of the Three Countries in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam which make

use of Road Routes No. 8 and 12. This policy aims to promote cooperative guidelines

on developing economies, society, education, arts and cultural exchanges, which willpave the way to more stable politics, and the peoples well being within this region. It

is hoped that the strong local relationships formed as a result of these policies will

lead to stronger relationships at national levels.

It can be seen, then, that the Project of Thai Student Exchange Program

between Greater Mekhong Sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam is truly useful

and invaluable. The activities included in the program will assist bringing about

regional stability and development. All participants will be provided with chances toshare attitudes, ideas and to understand and benefit from their various and diverse

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Possibly, some in your group who are taking part in the project might become

important leaders of their nation in the future. The project, therefore, will be a mold

that helps shape and form the peoples in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and ASEAN

Community to improve the knowledge and quality of life in these provinces. As

citizens of the global community, we have a chance through this program to make adifference at many different levels.

On this occasion, I would like to thank all the institutions which have sent

their students and staff to participate in the project. I wish all the participating youths,

chaperones, and operating committee an enjoyable and fruitful experience. Let us all

do our best to help this project to proceed smoothly and successfully.

In the same spirit, and with the greatest hopes of success, I declare the Project

of Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekhong Sub-regionCountries: Laos and Vietnam open.

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THAI STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMBETWEEN GREATER MEKONG SUB-REGION COUNTRIES:

LAOS AND VIETNAM

1. Rational

The development of potential academic corporations and networks, based onparticipatingparties expertise among international academic institutions, are feasibleto enhance and strengthen a good relationship, as well as to currently respond to thepolicies in and among the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries (GMS). Goodcorporations create sustainable education, languages, culture, research andtechnologies development, and socio-economic development. The establishment ofrelevant academic projects, moreover, benefits participating universities in terms ofacademic training, study visits, joint curriculum development, human resourcedevelopment, international seminars and researches in related fields.

Consequently, the Upper Northeastern Provincial Group 2, consisting ofSakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan provinces, have laid down policiesin establishing a corporation among three GMS countries, namely Thailand, Laos,Vietnam, and eight provinces along road route no. 8 and 12. Further to this, thecontinuous collaboration among the GMS countries is closely affiliated in terms ofeconomy, socio-economy, culture, tourism, sports and education.

From the previous academic collaborations between Sakon Nakhon RajabhatUniversity and GMS countries, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University has carried outthe Thai student exchange program between greater Mekong Sub-region countries:Laos and Vietnamin the 2011 fiscal year, funded by The Upper NortheasternProvincialGroup 2. The purpose of this project is to provide university studentsopportunities to strengthen mutual understanding and sustainable collaboration for thefuture development of GMS countries.

2. Objectives2.1 To promote friendship and understanding among

participants2.2 To exchange and broaden perspectives of the

participating countries2.3 To distribute customs, and traditional cultures of participating countries2.4 To strengthen the participants work and life harmony and abilities to

create mutual benefits2.5 To reinforce applicable experiences in youth activities and other various

sections in their own countries after this project.

3. Project Activities3.1 Language studies at GMS country educational institutions.3.2 Ideas and opinions exchanges.3.3 Discussion on selected academic topics.3.4 Languages and cultures activities.

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3.5 Program on interaction with local youth and people. 3.6 Interesting places to visit in participating countries.3.7Participation in social activities arranged by participating universities.

4.

Number of staffs and students

4.1 Number of participating staff studying Vietnamese in Vietnam

No. Institutes Number of staff

1 Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University 1

2 Kasetsart UniversityChalermphrakiat Sakon NakhonProvince Campus

1

3 Rajamangala University ofTechnology Isan Sakon NakhonCampus

1

4 Nakhon Phanom University 1

5 Navamintarachinee MukdahanIndustrial and Community EducationCollege

1

6 Mukdahan Community College 1

Total 6

4.2 Number of students and staff participating in the program

No. Institutes Number ofstudents

Number ofstaff

1 Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University 10 2

2 Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat

Sakon Nakhon Province Campus

4 1

3 Rajamangala University ofTechnology Isan Sakon NakhonCampus

4 1

4 Nakhon Phanom University 4 1

5 Sakon Nakhon Technical College 1 -

6 Navamintarachinee MukdahanIndustrial and Community Education

College

1 1

7 Mukdahan Community College 2 -

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No. Institutes Number ofstudents

Number ofstaff

8 Quang Tri Teacher Training College 2 2

9 Quang Binh University 2 -

10 Hue University of sciences 2-

11 Vinh University 2 -

12 Savannakhet University 3 2

13 Khammouan Province 1 -

14 Bolikhamxay Province 1 -

Staff team 10

Total 39 20

5. Study program duration

5.1 Language Study program for staff or students at academic institutions inthe GMS countries for three months.

5.2 Staff or students participation in the project, Thai Student ExchangeProgram between Greater Mekong Sub-Region Countries: Laos and VietnamfromMay 8-24, 2011, for 17days.

6. Eligibility of Applicant6.1 Staff

6.1.1 Thai nationality,6.1.2 Serving as a faculty member or academic staff in academic

institutions of The Upper Northeastern Provincial Group 2,6.1.3 Being able to join a Vietnamese study program for at least

three months,6.1.4 Interested in studying Vietnamese.

6.2 Students6.2.1 Thai nationality,6.2.2 Being undergraduate, age between 17-25 years,6.2.3 Having English communication skills,6.2.4 Having proficiency in languages officially used in the GMS

countries, namely Vietnam, and Laos.6.2.5 Being in good health, a medical certificate from general

hospital is required,6.2.6 Being able to work or study well with others,

6.2.7 Being able to participate in the program from May 8-24,20116 2 8 Having good attitudes towards participating countries

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well-prepared in presenting local cultures and relevantinformation,

6.2.10 Having pleasant personality, self-confidence, and leadershipskills

7. Required Documents

7.1 Completed application form in capital letters7.2 One (1) 2x2 inches color photograph taken no longer than 6 monthsago and attached to an application form

7.3 Two (2) 4x6 inches photographs taken no longer than 6 months ago7.4 A certified copy of Identification Card or Passport7.5 A certified copy of House registration7.6 An official copy of enrollment from the academic institution currently

attended issued no longer than 30 days ago7.7 An Official medical certificate from general hospital7.8 Other certificates of special skills

Note1. If the documentation is not completed as 7.1 -7.7, the applicants will be

disqualified.2. Applicants must ensure that all documents are accurate and complete.

Application forms that are incomplete, false or unintelligible will beautomatically excluded.

8. Application scheduleApplication period 8-30 March 2011Submission Date 9 April 2011Announcement at http://www.snru.ac.th 10 April 2011Orientation Day 9 May 2011

9. Application methodIf the students from Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University are interested, he/she

should directly apply at International Relations Office, Floor 4, Language andComputer Center, telephone/ fax no. 0 4297 0037. For more information contact:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Vijittra Vonganusith 08 1383 8075Ms. Supawadee Thamnikrai 08 6853 0797Ms. Le Thi Mei Thu 08 6851 3764

10. Expenses during the project10.1 Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University is responsible for:

10.1.1 Overall travel expenses.10.1.2 Meals and beverage served according to the designated

schedule.10.1.3 Accommodation required for the programs in the designated

itinerary.10.2 Participating academic organizations are responsible for:

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10.2.2 Accident insurance.10.2.3 Health insurance.

10.3 Participants or organization (in case) is responsible for:10.3.1 Passport10.3.2 Health checking

10.3.3 Personal expenses10.3.4 Any other expensesNote:

1.

Any participating student who is unable to continue their participation for anyreason must pay their own expenses for returning home and return allexpenses to the program.

2.

Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University is not responsible for medical services orcosts for illness or accidents during the program.

3.

Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University reserved the right to select participants.

4.

The candidate must pay a deposit of 2,000 baht before participating in theprogram. The deposit will be returned at the end of the program

Participants of the Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater MekongSub-region Countr ies: Laos and Vietnam

List of Staff studying a 3 month-Vietnamese course at Quang Bihn University,Vietnam (May-July 2011)

No. Names Institutions

1 Mr. Sarawut Panyasan SNRU

2 Miss Nawaphorn Wannathong KU

3 Miss Boonthiwa Chartchumni MRUTI

4 Mr. Apichat Chaihathep NPU

5 Miss Jintana Kaewsri MEC

6 Mr. Phornwut Khamkaew MUKCC

List of participating students of the Thai Student Exchange Program betweenGreater Mekong Sub-region Countr ies: Laos and Vietnam

No.

Name

Telephone No. Institutions

1 Mr.

Watcharin Sriwicha 087-2505040 NPU

2 Mr.Siwa Kumsatta 082-3000066 NPU

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No.

Name

Telephone No. Institutions

3 Mr.Wanas Wongthi 083-3393392 NPU

4 Mr.Pakarsit Pathithat 087-9523901 NPU

5 Mr.Anurat Riamsaen 084-3174635 KU

6 MissSuparat Imthawin 087-2246367 KU

7 MissSiriporn Phankhoksoong 085-0040190 KU

8 MissNichakorn Chantapan 082-1303530 KU

9 Mr.Awirut Choenchom 081-0566321 RMUTI

10 Mr.Thanapong Pimpila 080-4212450 RMUTI

11 Mr.Sompong Srikunkaew 080-7520346 RMUTI

12 MissRatyaporn Sanghachai 084-7926209 RMUTI

13 MissKatekanok Supanya 082-1164991 SNTC

14 Mr.Thawatchai Tongma MEC

15 Mr.Jeerakarn Poomila 081-0615415 MUKCC

16 Mr.Withoon Phadawet 088-2330181 MUKCC

17 Mr.Techathat Lahip 080-1796927 SNRU

18 MissNittaya Pormbut 088-4306718 SNRU

19 MissRungtawan Wandee 087-9463632 SNRU

20 Mr.Teerawat Khonkla 084-7895539 SNRU

21 Mr.Wutipong Pongsupa 084-5162186 SNRU

22 MissJutaporn Pikulsom 083-3427377 SNRU

23 MissPornsuda Rikarmngae 089-8627336 SNRU

24 MissPimporn Wong A Nusit 084-7999633 SNRU

25 MissParichat Poonsawat 087-2368125 SNRU

26 Mr.Warut Singngoi 083-3719345 SNRU

27 Miss Quynh Huong Tran 01225509468 HUS

28 Miss Phuong Vy le Thi 016667366308 HUS

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No.

Name

Telephone No. Institutions

30 Miss Mai Thi Linh 01649791360 QBU

31 Miss Chu Thi Thanh Thuy 01649787256 QTTTC

32 Mr.Truong Dinh Loc 01649756646 QTTTC

33 Mr.Duong Thien Phu 01699470244 VinhUni

34 Miss Tran Ngoc Mai 01649747691 VinhUni

35 Miss Souvannasone Homsavanh SKU

36 Mr.Keovongphet Phuthavong SKU

37 Mr.Douangvilavanh Keomanivone SKU

38 Mr.Souvannaty Vanpaserd SKU

39 Mr.Daosavanh Keowmany SKU

List of staff and chaperones of the Thai Student Exchange Program betweenGreater Mekong Sub-region Countr ies: Laos and Vietnam

No.

Names

Telephone No. Institutions

1 Asst. Prof. Dr. WatanaSuwannatrai

081-8713997 SNRU

2 Asst. Prof. Dr. VijittraVonganusith

081-3838075 SNRU

3 Asst. Prof. Sirilak Sriphachan 085-7469829 SNRU

4 Miss Napalai Tasarod 081-0603218 SNRU

5 Miss Pisanee Kopolratana 081-7200096 SNRU

6 Mr.

Atsawin Chansong 087-

9552542 SNRU7 Miss Le Thi Mai Thu 086-8513764 SNRU

8 Miss Wanida Thapankaew 086-2353585 SNRU

9 Mr. Sarawut Panyasan 1678398944 SNRU

10 Miss Supawadi Tamnikrai 086-8530797 SNRU

11 Mr. Boonsong Konkan 082-1044281 SNRU

12 Miss Pornpimol Sirisan 083-1466173 SNRU

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No.

Names

Telephone No. Institutions

13 Mr. Chalad Pangduangcaew 085-4188728 NPU

14 Mr.Amnuai Noiprasite 084-2022182 MEC

15 Miss Piyanad Rachod 089-

5699262 KU16 Miss Yupin Ruangchang 081-8712678 RMUTI

17 Miss Nguyen Thi Thu Hang 0979056555 QTTTC

18 Mr. Trinh Dinh Hai 0905123060 QTTTC

19 Miss Gnorlasy Keokotphosy SKU

20 Miss Kommaly Nouanthasing SKU

Group Activityof the Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Mekong Sub-r egion

Countr ies: Laos and Vietnam

Group 1 GREEN

Mentor Name Telephone No. Institutes

Mr. Chalad Pangduangcaew 085-4188728 NPU

No. Name

Telephone No. Institutes1 Mr. Watcharin Sriwicha 087-2505040 NPU

2 Miss Suparat Imthawin 087-2246367 KU

3 Mr. Sompong Srikunkaew 080-7520346 RMUTI

4 Mr. Jeerakarn Poomila 081-0615415 MUKCC

5 Mr.Warut Singngoi 083-3719345 SNRU

6 Mr. Teerawat Khonkla 084-7895539 SNRU

7 Miss Mai Thi Linh 01649791360 QBU

8 Miss SouvannasoneHomsavanh

SKU

Group 2

ORANGE

Mentors

Name Telephone No.

Institutes

Mr. Amnuai Noiprasite 084-

2022182 MEC

Miss Kommaly SKU

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No. Name

Telephone No. Institutes

1 Mr. Siwa Kumsatta 082-3000066 NPU

2 Miss SiripornPhankhoksoong

085-0040190 KU

3 Miss Ratyaporn Sanghachai 084-7926209 RMUTI4 Mr. Withoon Phadawet 088-2330181 MUKCC

5 Mr. Wutipong Pongsupa 084-5162186 SNRU

6 Miss Jutaporn Pikulsom 0833427377 SNRU

7 Miss Chu Thi Thanh Thuy 01649787256 QTTTC

8 Mr. KeovongphetPhuthavong

SKU

Group 3

PINK

Mentors

Name Telephone No.

Institutes

Miss Nguyen Thi Thu Hang 0979056555 QTTTC

Miss Yupin Ruangchang 081-8712678 RMUTI

No. Name

Telephone No. Institutes

1 Mr. Wanas Wongthi 0833393392 NPU

2 Miss Nichakorn Chantapan 0821303530 KU

3 Miss Katekanok Supanya 0821164991 SNTC

4 Mr. Techathat Lahip 0801796927 SNRU

5 Miss Parichat Poonsawat 087-2368125 SNRU

6 Miss Quynh Huong Tran 01225509468 HUS

7 Mr. Truong Dinh Loc 01649756646 QTTTC

8 Mr. DouangvilavanhKeomanivone

SKU

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Group 4

YELLOW

MentorName Telephone No. Institutes

Miss Piyanad Rachod 089-5699262 KU

1 Mr. Pakarsit Pathithat 087-9523901 NPU

No. Name Telephone No. Institutes

2 Mr. Awirut Choenchom 081-0566321 RMUTI

3 Miss Nittaya Pormbut 088-4306718 SNRU

4 Miss Pornsuda Rikarmngae 089-8627336 SNRU

5 Miss Phuong Vy le Thi 016667366308 HUS

6 Mr. Duong Thien Phu 01699470244 VinhUni

7 Mr. Souvannaty Vanpaseut SKU

Group 5 BLUE

Mentors

Name Telephone No.

Institutes

Mr. Trinh Dinh Hai 0905123060 QTTTCMiss Gnorlasy Keokotphosy SKU

No. Name

Telephone No. Institutes

1 Mr. Anurat Riamsaen 084-3174635 KU

2 Mr. Thanapong Pimpila 080-4212450 RMUTI

3 Mr. Thawatchai Tongma MEC

4 Miss Rungtawan Wandee 087-9463632 SNRU

5 Miss Pimporn Wong A Nusit 084-7999633 SNRU

6 Miss Nguyen Thi PhuongThao

977304592 QBU

7 Miss Tran Ngoc Mai 01649747691 VinhUni

8 Mr. Daosavanh Keowmany SKU

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Note: Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University (SNRU)

Nakhon Panom University (NPU)

Kasetsart University (KU)

Navamintarachinee Mukdahan Industrial and Community Education College (MEC)

Quang Tri Teacher Training College (QTTTC)

Savannakhet University (SKU)

Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Sakon Nakhon Campus (RMUTI)

Sakon Nakhon Technical College (SNTC)

Mukdahan Community College (MUKCC)

Hue Univeristy of Sciences (HUS)

Quang Bihn University (QBU)

Vihn University (VinhUni)

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Activity Plan of Thai student exchange program

Between greater sub-region countries: Laos and Vietnam

May 8-24, 2011

Date Time Activities Venue PIC

NoteArrival DateSunday8 May 2011

06:00-18:00

18:0019:00

Receive the participants from Quang Tri andSavannakhet in Mukdahan and escort them toSakon Nakhon, ThailandRegister and check in at Phu Phan Place HotelDinner reception at Hauy Sai Room, 1stfloor

Phu Phan PlaceHotel

Mr. BoonsongMr. QuangMr. SarawutMr.SouksomphoneMs.Orathai

Dress: Casual

Monday9 May 2011

06.3008.30

08.3009.00

09.0010.00

10.0011.00

11.0012.00

12.00 - 13.00

13.0015.00

15.0016.00

Breakfast

Activity Registration

Opening ceremony and Orientation

Project Introduction

Ice breaking

Lunch

Learning Thai cultures(Learn to playNortheastern music instruments: Pong Lang ( alog xylophone), Hai (a jar), Khaen (a fluteharmonica),Phin (a Thai handcraft guitar)Discussion on national cultural show

Haui Sai Room,1stfloorDusita Room, 2ndfloor

Dusita Room, 2ndfloor

Dusita Room, 2ndfloorDusita Room, 2ndfloor

Haui Sai Room,1stfloorBuilding 1

Building 1

Hotel Staff

Ms. Orathai,Supawadee andSutimaAsst.Prof.Dr.WatanaSuwannatraiAsst.Prof.VijittraVonganusithMentors:Ms.Wanida,Ms. Pitsanee,Napalai and Mr.

WutichaiChaiyapornHotel staffMr. Autsawin

Ms.Winita andMentors

Dress: Casual

TODAY PIC :WANIDA

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC Note14.0016.30

16.3018.30

18.3019.3019.3021.0021.00 - 21.30

- Learn Thai etiquette, painting, arts, anddancing

Learn how to cook Thai food

DinnerReview on todays learning activities and thefollowing days activitiesRehearsal of national cultural show and songs

Building 1

Home Economics

Building 1Building 1Building 1Building 1

Asst.Prof.AnuratSaithong Mr.Amnart and Mr.KrienksithMr. Aswin andMs.PornpimonAsst.Prof.Dr.Chamaiporn RaksasukAsst.Prof SirilaxSriprachanand Mentors

Wednesday11 May 2011

06.3008.0008.3010.00

10.0010.30

10.3012.00

12.0013.0013.0016.00

16.001800

18.0018.3019.00 -21.00

21.00 - 21.30

BreakfastThai and Lao students study Vietnamese.Vietnamese students study Thai and Lao.Group activities

Leave for Rajamangala University ofTechnology Isan (RMUTI)LunchSightseeing: RMUTIVisit Model Village of Isan communityPreparation for National culture show

Leave for Nong Han the Elegant HotelOfficial Welcome DinnerBai Sri ceremony (Chern Phra Kwun Dance),Ancient Boxing Art and Three countriescultural showsBriefing

Haui Sai RoomPhuphan PlaceHotelPhuphan PlaceHotel

RMUTIRMUTI

Maneetaewa room,Nong Han TheElegant Hotel

Hotel StaffMr. QuangMs. SupawadeeMs. Suksomphone

Mentors

Ms. PornpimonMs. Winita,

Mr.Boonsong,Mentors andStaffof Institute ofLanguage, Arts andCultures.Bai Sri tray(Mr. Kreingsit)Asst.Prof.SirilakSriphrachan

Dress:YellowPolo Shirt

TODAY PIC:Ms. Pisanee,Ms. Yupin

MC:Dr. PaisitBoriboon, Ms LeThi Mai thu andMr. DanayaChattiphod

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC NoteThursday12 May 2011

06.3008.00

08.0011.30

11.3012.00

12.0013.0013.00 -16.00

16.00-16.30

17.0018.3021.00 - 21.30

Breakfast

-City sightseeing: Wat phra That chuengchumWore Vihara, Ajahn Mun Bhuritatto Museum,

Wat Paa Suthawas-VisitPhu PhanRoyalDevelopment EducationCenter,Phu Phan Palace-leave for Kasetsart University,Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon ProvinceCampusLunch-Visit KU, meet with KU vice-president andadministrators-Briefing on Education management of KUChalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon ProvinceCampusFree time activities at Somdej PhraSrinagarindra ParkDinner: Barbecue BuffetBriefing

Haui Sai Room,1stfloor

Kasetsart niversity(KU)

KU

KU

SY BarbecueRestaurant

Mr. Boonsongprepares flowersand incense sticks.

Kasetsart niversityKasetsartUniversityAsst.Prof.SirilaxSriprachanAnd Mentors

Dress: white T-shirt

TODAY PIC:Ms. Npalai,Ms. Piyanard

Friday13 May 2011

06.3008.0008.3010.0010.3012.00

12.0013.0013.0015.00

15.0017.00

18.00 - 19.00

19.0021.00

BreakfastLeave for Nakhon PhanomVisit Thai so Cultural Center , KusumanDistrict and International Aviation College

LunchVisit NPU and Briefing on EducationManagement of NPUVisit Ban Na Chok (Ho Chi Minhs House) andmuseum, the 3rdThai-Lao Friendship bridgeand worship Phra That PhanomDinner at Nakhon Phanom River View Hoteland meet President of NPUGroup Activities and Briefing

Haui Sai Room

NPUNPU

Nakhon PhanomRiver View Hotel

Mentors

Staff of NakhonPhanom University

(NPU)NPU staff

NPU staff

Asst.Prof.Dr.WatanaSuwannatrai

Dress: Green PolShirt

TODAY PIC:

Ms. Wanida,Mr. Chalad

Nakon PhanomRiver View HoteNakon PhanomProvince

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC NoteSaturday14 May 2011

06.3008.00

08.00 -09.00

10.0012.00

12.0013.0013.0015.00

16.0018.0018.0019.0019.00 -21.00

21.00 - 21.30

Breakfast

Leave Nakhon Phanom for Tha Khaek city,Kham Muan province, LaosVisit Phra that Si Khotrabun and The GiantWallsLunchVisit The Nam Theun electricity generatingplant 2Free time activitiesDinner- Lao Language and Cultural Performance- Meet representatives from Kham MuanBriefing

Nakhon PhanomRiver View Hotel

Lao PDR

Kham Muan Hotel

Mentors

Staff of SU andMentors

Mentors andAsst. Prof. Dr.VijittraVongansuith

Dress: CasualKham Muan Hot

TODAY PIC:Mr. Sarawut,Ms. Gnorlasy,Ms. Kommaly

Sunday15 May 2011

06.0007.0007.0012.0012.0013.0013.0016.0016.0017.0017.00 - 18.0018.0019.0019.0021.00

21.0021.30

Breakfast at Kham Muan HotelLeave for Vietnam via Road Route No. 8LunchVisit Wuh Quang National ParkVisit Wuh Mun Waterfall in Ha Tinh CityLeave for Phuong Dong HotelDinnerGroup Activities Performance of students fromNghe An city

Briefing

Ha Tinh City

Phuong Dong HotelNghe An city

Vihn universitystudents

Ms. Pornpimon andstaffNghe An StudentsMentorsAsst.Prof.Dr.VijittraVongansuith

Dress: Casual

TODAY PIC:

Mr.Haiand Ms.

Hang

Monday16 May 2011

06.0007.0007.00-08.0008.0010.0013.0016.0018.0019.0019.0021.0021.00 - 21.30

Breakfast at Phuong Dong HotelLeave for Kim Lien VillageVisit Kim Lien Village,Nghe An CityVisit Phong Nha Cave,Quang Binh CityDinner at Saigon Quangbinh HotelRehearsal of Cultural performanceBrief

Nghe An City

Quang Binh CityMs. Pornpimon/Mr.Aswin

MentorsMentors

Dress: CasualTODAY PIC:

Mr.Haiand Ms.

Hang

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC NoteTuesday17 May 2011

07.0008.0008.0012.00

12.0013.0013.0014.0014.0016.0016.0018.00

18.0019.0019.3021.00

21.00 - 21.30

Breakfast at Saigon Quangbinh Hotel- Visit QBU and meet President of QBU- Briefing on Vietnam Education and QBU-Cultural performances of QBU students and

Lao and Thai students Group A

LunchLeave for Fishermans VillageVisit Fishermans VillageFree time activities

Dinner at a beach restaurantActivity performance by Quang BinhUniversity studentsBriefing

Quang BinhUniversity (QBU)

Quang Binh CityBeach at QuangBinh City

QBU

Ms.Pornpimon/MentorsQBU students

Mentors/Mr.AswinMentorsAsst.Prof.Dr.Vijittra Vonganusith

Dress: Green polshirt

TODAY PIC:Mr.Sarawut,Ms.Hang andMr. Hai

Wednesday18 May 2011

07.0008.0008.0010.0010.0011.0012.0013.0013.0017.00

18.0019.0019.0021.00

Breakfast at HUU NGHI HOTELLeave for Vinh Moc TunnelVisit Vinh Moc TunnelLunchVisit Thai Studies Center at Quang Tri TeacherTraning College (QTTC)Meet President of QTTC

Dinner-Participate at President HO Chi MinhsBirthday celebrationCultural Performance- Activity from students of Quang TriTeachers College

Quang Tri City

QTTC

QTTC

Quang TriTeachers College

QTTC

Ms.Pornpimon/Mentors ASwin,Thai StudentsGroup B andVietnamesestudents

Dress:pink poloshirt

TODAY PIC:Mr.Sarawut,Ms.Hang andMr. Hai

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC NoteThursday19 May 2011

07.0008.00

08.0010.0012.0013.0013.0014.0014.0017.00

17.0019.0019.0021.00

21.00 - 21.30

Breakfast at MONDIAL Hotel, TruongtienCity, HueVisit Quang Tri MuseumLunchLeave for the Old palaceVisit Dai Noi (Royal Palace) and Tomb ofKhai Dinh Emperor, Hue CityDinnerEnjoy Hue dance performance and embarkHuong Yang River CruiseBrief

MONDIAL hotel

SNRU staff Dress: white shi

TODAY PIC:Mr.Sarawut,Ms.Hang andMr. Hai

Friday20 May 2011

07.0008.0008.0012.00

12.0013.0014.0016.0018.0019.0019.0021.00

BreakfastVisit Hue University of Sciences and meet thePresidentBriefing on Education management of HueUniversity of SciencesLunchVisit Jien Pier in HueDinnerGroup Activities from students of HueUniversity of Sciences

Hue University ofSciences

MONDIAL hotel

Hue University ofSciences

Hue University ofSciences

Dress: yellow poshirt

TODAY PIC:Mr.Boonsong,Ms.Hang andMr. Hai

Saturday21 May 2011

07.0008.0008.0012.0012.0013.0013.0015.00

18.0019.0019.0021.00

Breakfast at MONDIAL hotelLeave for Golden Mining, LaosLunchVisit the Sepon Glod and Copper miningoperation in SavannakhetDinnerGroup Activities from students of SavannakhetUniversity

Savannakhet

Rattana Swan Hotel

SavannakhetUniversityLao students

Dress : white T-shirt

TODAY PIC:Ms.KOMMaly anMs. Gnorlasy

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC Note22 May 2011 07.00 -08.00

08.0010.00

10.0012.00

12.0013.0013.0014.3014.3016.0018.0019.00

19.00 - 21.30

Breakfast Rattana Swan HotelVisit Savannakhet University and meetPresidentBriefing on Education management of LaoPDR and Savannakhet UniversityVisit the The Phra That Ing Hang StupaLunchVisit Savan Beer FactoryVisit Hundai Motor Manufacturing factoryArrive at Ploy Palace Hotelo MukdahanProvinceFarewell Dinnerand Cultural performance

SavannakhetUniversity(SKU)

Ploy Palace Hotel

SKU

SKU

SKU staffSKU staff

Ms.Supawadee(Zone) and Ms. OrathaiMentors

Dress:Green Poshirt

TODAY PIC:Ms.Amnuaiand Ms. Napalai

23 May 2011 07.0008.0008.3011.00

12.0013.0013.0015.00

15.0016.00

16.0017.0018.0021.00

BreakfastVisit Ho Kaeo Mukdahan, ManoromMountainand Phu Pha Thoep National ParkVisit MECLunchVisit Navamintarachinee Mukdahan Industrialand Community Education College (MUKCC)

Leave for Indo chaina Market

Back to Ploy Palace Hotel

Dinner Party and Closing ceremony

MukdahanCommunityCollege(MEC)

MUKCCKaew MukdaRoom at PloyPalace Hotel

- MEC- MUKCC

Mentors

Asst.Prof.Dr.WatanaSuwannatrai

Dress:Pink Poloshirt

TODAY PIC: MrAmnuai and Mr.Chalad

MC: RUMTI,MOKCC and MsLethi Mai Thu

Dinner invitationProvincialGovernorGovernmentHeads/ andeducationalinstitutionadministrators-SNRU president

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Date Time Activities Venue PIC Note24 May 2011 07.0008.00

09.0012.00Breakfast-Group Photograph at Thai-Lao Friendship 2Bridge-Lao and Vietnamese Students leave for Laosand Vietnam-Thai students back to Sakon SNRU.

Ploy Palace HotelSNRU

Dress: White T-shirt

Thi s schedule is tentati ve and subject to change.

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FASTFACT about Thailand-Laos-Vietnam

Thailand

Thailandofficially the Kingdom ofThailand, is a country that lies in the heart ofSoutheast Asia.It is bordered to the north byBurmaandLaos,to the east by Laos andCambodia,to thesouth by theGulf of Thailand andMalaysia,and tothe west by the Andaman Sea and the southernextremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries includeVietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast andIndonesia andIndia in the Andaman Sea to thesouthwest.

The country is a kingdom, with most recordedreigns in the world; aconstitutional monarchy withKingBhumibol Adulyadej,theninth king of the

House of Chakri,who has reigned since 1946, making him the world'slongest-serving currenthead of stateand thelongest-reigningmonarch inThai history.The king is officially titled Head of State, the Head of theArmed Forces, an Upholder of the Buddhist religion, and the Defender of all Faiths. The largest city inThailand isBangkok,the capital, which is also the country's center of political, commercial, industrial andcultural activities.

Thailand is the world's50th largest country in terms of total area (slightly smaller thanYemen andslightly larger thanSpain), with a surface area of approximately 513,000 km2(198,000 sq mi), and the21stmost-populous country,with approximately 64 million people. About 75% of the population is ethnicallyThai,14% is ofChinese origin, and 3% is ethnicallyMalay;the rest belong to minority groups includingMons,Khmers and varioushill tribes.There are approximately 2.2 million legal and illegal migrants in

Thailand. Thailand has also attracted a number ofexpatriates from developed countries. The country'sofficial language isThai.Its primary religion is Buddhism, which is practiced by around 95% of all Thais.

Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1995 and is anewly industrializedcountry withtourism,due to well-knowntourist destinations such asPattaya,Bangkok,Phuket,Chiang MaiandKo Samui,and exports contributing significantly to the economy.

Etymology

The country's official name was Siam(Thai:Sayam) until June 23, 1939, when it was changed toThailand. It was then renamed Siam from 1945 to May 11, 1949, after which it was again, renamed Thailand.

Also spelled Siem, Symor Syma, it has been identified with theSanskrit yma(,meaning "dark" or

"brown"). The namesShan and A-hom seem to be variants of the same word, and yma is possibly not itsorigin but a learned and artificial distortion.

The word Thai()is not, as commonly believed, derived from the word Tai()meaning "freedom"in theThai language;it is, however, the name of anethnic group from the central plains (theThai people). Afamous Thai scholar argued that Tai () simply means "people" or "human being" since his investigationshows that in some rural areas the word "Tai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" ()for

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laoshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_monarchyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadejhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kings_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakri_Dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_reigning_current_monarchshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_reigning_monarchs_of_all_timehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_total_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_populationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_populationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Chinesehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Malayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_tribe_%28Thailand%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newly_industrialized_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newly_industrialized_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist_destinationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phuket_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Maihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Samuihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrithttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AEhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AEhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_peoplehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_grouphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_peoplehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_grouphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_peoplehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrithttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Samuihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Maihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phuket_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist_destinationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newly_industrialized_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newly_industrialized_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_tribe_%28Thailand%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Malayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Chinesehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_populationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_populationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_total_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_reigning_monarchs_of_all_timehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_reigning_current_monarchshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakri_Dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kings_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadejhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_monarchyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Thailandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laoshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia

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people.[15]The Thai use the phrase "land of the free" to express pride in the fact that Thailand is the onlycountry in Southeast Asia never colonized by a European power.

While the Thai people will often refer to their country using the polite formPrathet Thai(Thai: ), they most commonly use the more colloquial wordMueang Thai(Thai: ) or simply Thai(Thai:

); the word mueang(Thai: ) meaning nation but most commonlyused to refer to a city or town.Ratcha Anachak Thai(Thai:

) means "Kingdom of Thailand" or "Kingdom of Thai".Etymologically, its components are: -Ratcha-(from Sanskrit

raja,meaning "king, royal, realm") ; -ana-(fromPli, "authority,command, power", itself from Sanskrit j, same meaning) -chak(from Sanskritcakraorcakrameaning "wheel", a symbol of powerand rule). TheThai National Anthem (Thai:), composed andwritten byPeter Feit during the extremely "patriotic" 1930s, refers tothe Thai nation as: prathet-thai (Thai: ). The first line of thenational anthem is:prathet thai ruam lueat nuea chat chuea thai(Thai:) and was translated in 1939 by Colonel Luang

Saranuprabhandi as: "Thailand is the unity of Thai blood and body."

Administrative divisionsThailand is divided into 76provinces (, changwat), which

are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location. There are also 2special governeddistricts:the capitalBangkok (Krung Thep MahaNakhon) andPattaya,of which Bangkok is at provincial level and thusoften counted as a province.

Each province is divided intodistricts and the districts arefurther divided into sub-districts (tambons). As of 2006 there are 877districts (, amphoe) and the 50 districts of Bangkok ( , khet).

Some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are also referred to asGreater Bangkok (, pari monthon). These provinces include

Nonthaburi,Pathum Thani,Samut Prakan,Nakhon Pathom andSamut Sakhon.The name of each province'scapital city (, mueang) is the same as that of the province. For example, the capital of Chiang Maiprovince (Changwat Chiang Mai) isMueang Chiang Maior Chiang Mai. The 76provinces are as follows:

GeographyTotaling 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi), Thailand is the world's 50th largest country in

land mass, while it is the world's 20th largest country in terms of population. It is comparable in populationto countries such as France and the United Kingdom, and is similar in land size to France and California inthe United States. The localclimate is tropical and characterized bymonsoons.There is a rainy, warm, and

cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well as a dry, cool northeast monsoon fromNovember to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid.

Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincialgroups. The north of the country is mountainous, with the highest point beingDoi Inthanon at 2,565 metres(8,415 ft) above sea level. The northeast,Isan,consists of theKhorat Plateau,bordered to the east by theMekong River. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flatChao Phraya river valley,which runs into theGulf of Thailand.The south consists of the narrowKra Isthmus that widens into the

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Malay Peninsula.Politically, there are six geographical regions which differ from the others in population,basic resources, natural features, and level of social and economic development. The diversity of the regionsis the most pronounced attribute of Thailand's physical setting.

TheChao Phraya and theMekong River are the sustainable resource of rural Thailand. Industrialscale production of crops used both rivers and their tributaries. TheGulf of Thailand covers 320,000 squarekilometres (124,000 sq mi) and is fed by the Chao Phraya,Mae Klong,Bang Pakong andTapi Rivers. Itcontributes to the tourism sector owing to its clear shallow waters along the coasts in the Southern Regionand the Kra Isthmus. The Gulf of Thailand is also an industrial center of Thailand with the kingdom's mainport inSattahip along with being the entry gates forBangkok's Inland Seaport.TheAndaman Sea is regardedas Thailand's most precious natural resource as it hosts the most popular and luxurious resorts in Asia.Phuket,Krabi,Ranong,Phang Nga andTrang and their lush islands all lay along the coasts of the AndamanSea and despite the2004 Tsunami,they continue to be and ever more so, the playground of the rich and eliteof Asia and the world.

Plans have resurfaced of a logistical connection of the two bodies of water which would be coined theThai Canal,analogous to theSuez and thePanama Canal.Such an idea has been greeted with positiveaccounts by Thai politicians as it would cut fees charged by thePorts of Singapore,improve ties with Chinaand India, lower shipping times and increase ship safety owing to pirate fears in theStrait of Melaka and,support the Thai government's policy of being the logistical hub for Southeast Asia. The ports would improveeconomic conditions in the south of Thailand, which relies heavily on tourism income, and it would alsochange the structure of the Thai economy moving it closer to a service center of Asia. The canal would be amajor engineering project and has expected costs of 2030 billion dollars.

Demographics

Language

The official language of Thailand isThai,aKradai language closely related toLao,Shan in Burma,and numerous smaller languages spoken in an arc fromHainan andYunnan south to the Chinese border. It isthe principal language of education and government and spoken throughout the country. The standard isbased on the dialect of the central Thai people, and it is written in theThai alphabet,anabugida script thatevolved from theKhmer script.Several other dialects exist, and coincide with the regional designations.Southern Thai is spoken in the southern provinces, andNorthern Thai is spoken in the provinces that wereformally part of the independent kingdom ofLannathai.

Thailand is also host to several other minority languages, the largest of which is theLao dialect ofIsan spoken in the northeastern provinces. Although sometimes considered a Thai dialect, it is a Lao dialect,and the region in where it is traditionally spoken was historically part of the Lao kingdom ofLan Xang.Inthe far south,Yawi,a dialect of Malay, is the primary language of the Malay Muslims.Chinese dialects arealso spoken by the largeChinesepopulation,Teochewbeing the dialect best represented.

Numerous tribal languages are also spoken, including those belonging to theMon-Khmer family,such asMon,Khmer,Viet,Mlabri;Austronesian family, such asCham,Moken, andOrang Asli,Sino-Tibetan family such as Lawa,Akhan,andKaren;and otherTai languages such asNyaw,Phu Thai,andSaek.Hmong is a member of theHmong-Mien languages,which is now regarded as a language family of its own.

English is a mandatory school subject, but the number of fluent speakers remains very low, especiallyoutside the cities.

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Religion

Thailand has a prevalence ofBuddhism that ranks among the highest in the world. The nationalreligion isTheravada Buddhism. According to the last census (2000) 94.6% of the total population areBuddhists of the Theravada tradition.Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand at 4.6%.Thailand's southernmost provincesPattani,Yala,Narathiwat and part ofSongkhlaChumphon havedominant Muslim populations, consisting of both ethnic Thai and Malay. The southern tip of Thailand ismostly ethnicallyMalay,and most Malays areSunni Muslims.Christians represent 0.5% of the population.A tiny but influential community ofSikhs in Thailand and someHindus also live in the country's cities, andare heavily engaged in retail commerce. There is also a smallJewish community in Thailand,dating back tothe 17th century.

Culture

Thai culture has been shaped by many influences, including Chinese, Lao, Burmese, Cambodian, andIndian.

Its traditions incorporate a great deal of influence from India, China, Cambodia, and the rest ofSoutheast Asia. Thailand's national religionTheravada Buddhism is important to modern Thai identity.ThaiBuddhism has evolved over time to include many regional beliefs originating fromHinduism,animism aswell as ancestor worship. Theofficial calendar in Thailand is based on the Eastern version of theBuddhistEra,which is 543 years ahead of theGregorian (western) calendar.For example, the year AD 2011 is 2554BE in Thailand.

Several different ethnic groups, many of which are marginalized, populate Thailand. Some of thesegroups overlap intoBurma,Laos,Cambodia,andMalaysia and have mediated change between theirtraditional local culture, national Thai and global cultural influences.Overseas Chinese also form asignificant part of Thai society, particularly in and around Bangkok. Their successful integration into Thaisociety has allowed for this group to hold positions of economic and political power.

The traditional Thai greeting, the wai, is generally offered first by the younger of the two peoplemeeting, with their hands pressed together, fingertips pointing upwards as the head is bowed to touch theirface to the hands, usually coinciding with the spoken word "Sawasdee khrap" for male speakers, and"Sawasdee ka" for females. The elder then is to respond afterwards in the same way. Social status andposition, such as in government, will also have an influence on who performs thewaifirst. For example,although one may be considerably older than a provincial governor, when meeting it is usually the visitorwho pays respect first. When children leave to go to school, they are taught to waito their parents torepresent their respect for them. They do the same when they come back. The wai is a sign of respect andreverence for another, similar to thenamaste greeting of India and Nepal.

Muay Thai,or Thai boxing, is the national sport in Thailand and its nativemartial art call "Muay". Inthe past "Muay" was taught to royal soldiers for combat on battlefield if unarmed. After they retired from thearmy, these soldiers often became Buddhist monks and stayed at the temples. Most of the Thai people's livesare closely tied to Buddhism andtemples;they often send their sons to be educated with the monks. "Muay"is also one of the subjects taught in the temples.[64]Muay Thai achieved popularity all over the world in the1990s. Although similar martial arts styles exist in otherSoutheast Asian countries, few enjoy the recognitionthat Muay Thai has received with its full-contact rules allowing strikes including elbows, throws and knees.

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Association football,however, has possibly overtaken Muay Thai's position as most widely viewedand liked sport in contemporary Thai society and it is not uncommon to see Thais cheering their favouriteEnglish Premier League teams on television and walking around in replica kits. Another widely enjoyedpastime, and once a competitive sport, iskite flying.

Thai cuisineblends five fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. Some commoningredients used in Thai cuisine include garlic, chillies, lime juice, lemon grass, and fish sauce. The staplefood in Thailand is rice, particularlyjasmine variety rice (also known as Hom Mali rice) which is included inalmost every meal. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice, and Thais domestically consume over100 kg of milled rice per person per year.[65]Over 5000 varieties of rice from Thailand are preserved in therice gene bank of theInternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI), based in the Philippines. The king ofThailand is the official patron of IRRI.[66]

Like most Asian cultures, respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.Thais have a strong sense of hospitality and generosity, but also a strong sense of social hierarchy. Seniorityis an important concept in Thai culture. Elders have by tradition ruled in family decisions or ceremonies.Older siblings have duties to younger ones.

Taboos in Thailand include touching someone's head or pointing with the feet, as the head isconsidered the most sacred and the foot the dirtiest part of the body.Thai society has been influenced inrecent years by its widely available multi-language press and media. There are some English and numerousThai and Chinese newspapers in circulation; most Thai popular magazines use English headlines as a chicglamor factor. Many large businesses in Bangkok operate in English as well as other languages.

Thailand is the largest newspaper market in Southeast Asia with an estimated circulation of at least 13million copies daily in 2003. Even upcountry, out of Bangkok, media flourishes. For example, according toThailand's Public Relations Department Media Directory 2003-2004, the nineteen provinces ofIsan,Thailand's northeastern region, hosted 116 newspapers along with radio, TV and cable.

Sports

Thai boxing

Muay Thai (Thai: , RTGS: Muai Thai, IPA:[muj t j],lit. "Thai Boxing") is a form of hard martial art practiced in large partsof the world, including Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.The art is similar to others in Southeast Asia such as: Pradal Serey inCambodia, Lethwei in Burma, Tomoi in Malaysia, andMuay Lao inLaos. Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country'snational sport.

Pone Kingpetch was a Thai boxer, from Hua Hin, who defeatedPascal Perez, an Argentinean boxer to become the first Thai WBC Flyweight Champion on 16 April 1960and later a 3 time WBC Flyweight Champion. Pone Kingpetch originally known as Mana Sidokbuab,assumed this name from his training camp; Kingpetch. Thai fighters traditionally take on the name of thecamps they train for. That owner of the gym and head coach's, Thongtos Intratat is present in these pictures.Thongtos Intratat is also known for being the first person to officially formulate and bottle Namman Muay(Thai Liniment) which is desired for his fighter, Pone Kingpetch. Namman Muay (Thai Liniment) is stillonly produced by his direct descendants in Thailand.

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TraditionalMuay Thaipracticed today varies significantly fromthe ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks, punches and knee and elbowstrikes in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing andthis has led to Thailand gaining medals at the Olympic Games inBoxing.

Sepak TakrawTakraw (Thai: ) is a sport native to Thailand, which

the players hit a rattan ball and only be allowed to use their feet, knees,chest and head to touch the ball.Sepak Takraw is a form of this sportwhich appears in volley ball style, the players must volley a ball over a net and force it to hit the ground onoppnent's side. It is a popular in other countries in Southeast Asia also. A rather similar game but played onlywith the feet isBuka ball.

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Lao: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao,officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is alandlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burmaand People's Republic of China to the northwest, Vietnam tothe east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west. Itspopulation was estimated to be 6.8 million in 2009.Laostraces its history to the Kingdom which existed from the14th to the 18th century. In 1893, it became a Frenchprotectorate, with the three kingdoms, Kingdom of LuangPhrabang,Kingdom of Laos and Kingdom of

Champasak, uniting to form what is now known asLaos. It briefly gained independencein1945 after Japaneseoccupation, but returned to French rule until it was grantedautonomy in1949.Laos became independent in1954,witha constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong. Shortlyafter independence, alongcivil war ended the monarchy,when theCommunistPathet Lao movement came topowerin1975.

Laos is asingle-partysocialist republic.The capitaland largest city isVientiane.The official language isLao.

Most people areLao with a significant proportion ofindigenous religion as well. It is a rising power inelectricity to neighboring countries such as Thailand,China and Vietnam and the economy is accelerating rapidly with the demands of its metals. It is a member oftheAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),East Asia Summit andLa Francophonie.

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Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The head of government isPrime MinisterThongsingThammavong.Government policies are determined by the party through the all-powerful nine-memberPolitburo and the 49-member Central Committee. Important government decisions are vetted by the Councilof Ministers.

Economy

The Lao economy is heavily dependent on investment and trade with its neighbours, Thailand,Vietnam, and, especially in the north, China.Pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border tradewith Thailand and Vietnam. In 2011, theLao Securities Exchangebegan trading.

Laos is rich in mineral resources but imports petroleum and gas.Metallurgy is an important industry,and the government hopes to attract foreign investment to develop the substantial deposits ofcoal,gold,bauxite,tin,copper and other valuable metals. In addition, the country's plentiful water resources andmountainous terrain enable it to produce and export large quantities of hydroelectric energy. Of the potentialcapacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for exporting toThailand and Vietnam.

The country's most widely recognised product may well beBeerlao which is exported to a number ofcountries including neighboursCambodia andVietnam.It is produced by theLao Brewery Company.

Tourism

The tourism sector has grown rapidly, from 80,000 international visitors in 1990, to 1.876 million in2010. Tourism is expected to contribute US$679.1 million to gross national product in 2010, rising toUS$1,585.7 million by 2020. In 2010, one in every 10.9 jobs was in the tourism sector. Export earnings frominternational visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 15.5% of total exports or US$270.3 millionin 2010, growing in nominal terms to US$484.2 million (12.5% of total) in 2020. Recently, Laos has becomepopular with tourists for its relaxed style of living and reputation for having elements of the "original Asia"lost elsewhere. The official tourism slogan is "Simply Beautiful". The main attractions for tourists includeBuddhist culture and colonial architecture inLuang Prabang;gastronomy and ancient temples in the capitalofVientiane;backpacking inMuang Ngoi Neua andVang Vieng;ancient and modern culture and history inThe Plain of Jars region (main article:Phonsavan); trekking and visitinghill tribes in a number of areasincludingPhongsaly andLuang Namtha;caves and waterfalls nearThakhek;relaxation, theIrrawaddydolphin andKhone Phapheng Falls atSi Phan Don or as they are known in English, the Four ThousandIslands;Wat Phu,an ancientKhmer temple complex; and theBolaven Plateau for waterfalls and coffee.

Demographics

The term "Laotian" does not necessarily refer to the Lao language, ethnic Lao people, language orcustoms, but is a political term that also includes the non-ethnic Lao groups within Laos and identifies themas "Laotian" because of their political citizenship. Laos has the youngest population of any country in Asiawith a median age of 19.3 years.

Laos' population was estimated at 6.8 million in early 2009, dispersed unevenly across the country.Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Vientiane prefecture, the capital andlargest city, had about 740,010 residents in 2008. The country's population density was 27/km 2

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