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ABSORB: Asian University Business School On Running Business
Susan Joyce
A group of Asian University Business faculty’s undergraduates have
been teaching basic business to some of the pupils at the nearby Phinjam
Wichasorn secondary school in Chak Ngaew village.
 Mink
explains some business concepts to her pupils.
The Asian University students were recently awarded a grant of $650 by the
SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) organization and they are using this
money to fund their project. (Just three countries received SIFE awards in
the SIFE 2007 - 2008 Economic Opportunity Project Grants category, Asian
University in Thailand, and students’ groups in China and Korea.)
They decided to use the funding to help them to run a business training
workshop at a local school. The programme gave the pupils basic information
on the importance of planning, looking at costs and income, demand and
supply, profit and loss.
The university president, Dr Viphandh Roengriyapithya joined the students
for the first session, on January 29, and addressed the pupils from M6 and
M3 about business ethics. The university students then took over the class
and began by mixing the pupils and setting them some simple tasks in the
form of a game. The Asian University students have visited twice each week
since, and the final session was on February 22.
The pupils were divided into four groups, each about ten youngsters, with a
university student to guide each team. Each group then chose what they would
do, wrote a business plan, and set up a small business, making and selling
food and drinks to their friends and teachers at lunchtime and after school.
They were given 1,000 baht seed money to start the business, and were told
that they would have to pay this back at the end of the project.
The businesses chose to make fried chicken and som tam, sweet corn ice
desert (nam kang sai), sandwiches with coffee and tea, and the fourth group
fried chicken pieces and french-fries.
The winning team, making fried chicken and som tam, succeeded in making a
profit of 580 baht, and only one team made a small loss, although they still
had some saleable inventory, so would hopefully be able to break even. The
pupils had an incentive to make a profit as they were able to keep their
profits. At the end of the project the Asian University students told them
that they could keep their seed money as a reward, and also to encourage
them to future business projects.
This project has given the university students a chance to try their hands
at teaching; it has made them realize how much they have learnt, and it is
also an opportunity to give something back to the local community.
The school principal thanked the Asian University students for all their
help, and was given certificates from the university to pass on to the
pupils at the school who had participated.
The winning team in action.
Mayor opens Sattahip School sports day
Patcharapol Panrak
Mayor of Sattahip Sub-district Administrative Organization
Pairoj Malakul na Ayuthaya formally opened Sattahip School sports day on
February 18, alongside school director Mrs Supapanee Chusri.
 A
selected youngster lights the flame to begin the games.
Pairoj said that the event was about more than sport, as it taught the
youngsters the importance of both winning and losing, and to understand
the value of leading a healthy life rather than being drawn towards the
use of drugs.
The school, which has its own playing fields, is located in the Royal
Thai Fleet Region and has 1,170 students ranging from kindergarten class
1 level to primary class 6. There are a total of 58 teachers.
The sports and games events included an obstacle course, relay racing,
ball games and takraw.
One of the underlying
themes is to encourage children
to stay away from drugs and smoking.
Asian University students undertake
annual community service teaching project
Susan Joyce
Over the last few weeks, a group of students and staff from
Asian University have been visiting a local primary school to help the
pupils and teachers with their English lessons. This is an annual
community service project and benefits everyone. The Asian U Students
have a chance to try their hands at teaching, the children have a
different group of teachers and everyone has a chance to get to know one
another and have some fun.
 Bem
and winning pupil Kanokwan.
The children at the Huay Yai primary School enjoyed their classes with
their visiting teachers, whilst the university students learnt a little
about teaching.
The Asian University students selected the best three pupils in each
class and these youngsters were then given an English assessment by
Ajarn Keith to find the best English student at the Huay Yai School. The
winner was Miss Kanokwan Noichim.
The photos (thanks to Ajarn Robert) show some of the happy children,
including Kanokwan, and the university students.
Fang and Bem with
volunteer pupils.
Day of fun for Mercy Centre children
Special children from the
Mercy Centre in Klong Toey enjoy a fun-filled afternoon as part of the
annual Love Fun Day sponsored by Raimon Land
and the Human Development Foundation (HDF).
Raimon Land teamed up with the Human Development
Foundation (HDF) recently to provide 500 special children with a
fun-filled afternoon as part of the annual Love Fun Day at the Mercy
Centre in Klong Toey.
The HDF and Raimon Land provided children with a range of exciting
activities including face painting, magicians, balloon makers, a bouncy
castle and a hearty barbeque as the kids were given a chance to take
time out and enjoy the atmosphere with their friends.
Raimon Land, which is a long-term supporter of HDF, also plans to build
two self contained homes for 40 children each, one for boys and one for
girls, at an estimated combined cost of THB5 million. Both buildings are
tentatively scheduled to be completed by the middle of this year.
The project is one of a number of activities undertaken by Raimon Land
as part of its corporate and social responsibility programme and
commitment to providing a positive contribution to Thailand’s future
that also includes building a nursery for Plant A Tree Today near Khao
Yai National Park.
Trip to Mae Hong Son
Robbie Frames
South African Exchange Student
During February half term (February 16-24) 35 students and staff from
The Regent’s School, Pattaya, took part in a service trip to Mae Hong
Son province. The aim of the trip was to construct a concrete playground
and do a bit of painting around Bae Maelid School, a school for Karen
hill tribe children.
 During
the evenings The Regent’s students got to know some of the boarders and
Baan Maelid School.
A particular highlight of this trip was the fact that two students from
the Fountain of Life, Tha and Sokpaeng, plus their teacher, Khun Kim,
accompanied us and took a full and active part in the trip.
It was a long journey on an over-night train and a few hours in a bus
before we finally arrived at the school. We had a tour of the
neighbouring village the afternoon we arrived, which was an eye-opening
experience for most of us and showed how much work can still be done
there. We had three days of hard work building the playground, which
required a lot of teamwork and co-operation. Meanwhile, the artists also
worked very hard and had some amazing displays in the end.
 The
Regent’s students hard at work mixing cement.
In the evenings after a long day’s work we were able to interact with
some of the boarders at the school and make some good friends. A lot of
effort went into our stay: long hard hours were spent in the kitchen
preparing our meals by staff and even pupils. The meals were delicious
and no one left the canteen on an empty stomach.
On the Thursday we were taken to a nature reserve where we went on a
hike and enjoyed some of the amazing views and waterfalls. We had a
barbeque on the playground we had made for our last night at the school;
during this some of their students did some performances for us, and our
students did the same for them. The evening was a huge success and I
know everyone who was there really enjoyed themselves.
We spent one night in Chang Mai on our way home, which gave us the
chance to do a bit of shopping and have our first warm shower for a
week! We also got the chance to go and see two temples while on the
trip, which gave some of us the opportunity to experience a bit more of
the Thai culture.
I am sure all who attended the trip felt that it was a huge success, and
although we put lot of effort into it, most can say they got a whole lot
more out.
Tha and Sokpaeng from the
Fountain
of Life get involved with building the playground.
Fun and games on Valentines Day at the Fountain of Life
PILC members and friends
pose for a photo with the children.
Andreia Tyrie, PILC
On February 14 a group of Pattaya International Ladies Club
(PILC) members celebrated Valentines Day with the children of the
Fountain of Life, having been kindly invited there by Ingrid Cunliffe.
We spent a lovely morning watching the children play activities, along
with some students from The Regent’s School, a laudable example showing
that young people can also contribute. We played with the children,
making bracelets, necklaces with colorful beads, and putting lipstick on
the little girls to make them shine!
 Happy
Valentines Day!
The kids presented a theatrical play, then Nang explained the meaning of
Valentines Day to the children. The children provided their opinions of
the meaning of the day and their responses were both sweet and graceful
showing the day has a wider meaning than just the love between a man and
woman. A couple of examples were: “…you are loved when studying and
playing with students and friends without fights” and “… you are loved
when caring for the hygiene of your body and your teeth.”
After the conclusion of the morning activities: Lunch! We ate a lovely
lunch with the children, followed by a delicious Valentines cake made by
Tamar Center.
Thanks to all the people responsible and to the children of the Fountain
of Life for making this day so pleasant. Thanks especially to Sister
Joan for committing her life to this project and sharing with us this
happy day and providing delicious cappuccino after the celebration.
Public asked to name baby
elephant born on Makha Bucha Day
Theerarak Suthatiwong
A competition is being held by the Million Year Stone Park and
Crocodile Farm for the public to provide a name for a baby elephant born
there on February 21, Makha Bucha Day.
 Mother,
child and mahout are all doing just fine, thank you.
There are 40 elephants at the park, four males and 36 females, living in
individual enclosed zones. At 11:45 in the morning, 18-year-old Pang
Kaesorn gave birth to a male calf in the elephant shelter, the birth
being attended by veterinarian Manop Praditwongsin and Chairat Issara,
who has been the mother’s mahout for the past 16 years.
Chairat said that Pang Kaesorn had mated with Plai Hasadin, a
40-year-old elephant from the Elephant Village in Uthaithani, and she
became pregnant before being moved to the Crocodile Farm. Chairat had
moved to Pattaya with her, and said that the calf was born on his
birthday. “That is a great birthday gift,” said a happy Chairat.
Suan Panomwattananukul, owner of the Million Year Stone Park and
Crocodile Farm said that he bought Pang Kaesorn from Uthaithani for
970,000 baht, and that she was already pregnant at that time. She gave
birth some six months after arriving at Pattaya.
Usually, said Suan, elephants give birth in the evening, but Pang
Kaesorn gave birth during the day. He said he was very happy that the
calf was born on Makha Bucha Day, a very important day for Buddhists.
Suan announced that there would be a competition to name the baby
elephant, with a prize of 5,000 baht. The winner will be announced on
May 1. Anyone wishing to participate can write down a name for the
elephant, and their name and address on a postcard, and mail it to the
Million Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, 22/1 Moo 1, Nongplalai,
Banglamung, Chonburi.
Orphanage catches
its own food
Roy S Thornton MBE
After being given a choice of activities, and another good deal
from ASP Boat Services, 21 children from the Baan Jing Jai went out on a
fishing boat last Saturday, and despite the rough seas, hauled in a
mighty load of fish. The competition was fierce to haul in the first
fish, the biggest fish and of course the most fish. With the majority of
them using hand lines, and it being their first fishing trip, the smiles
on their faces every time a fish came up was a joy to watch. The fish
might not have been great in size, but the quantity made up for the lack
of size.
 Hey
look I caught two at a time.
After a long day of fishing, the fish were carefully packed into bags
for transporting back to the orphanage, where they were stored away for
cooking the next day.
Whilst the fishing was going on, the remainder of the children from the
Baan Jing Jai went on their own trip to the cinema at Big C. The film
that they wanted to see was a Thai film called Chocolate, but had we
known that the film contained some violent scenes, then maybe we would
have chosen a different film. Despite that they all seemed to enjoy the
trip to the cinema and we thank the management at the Big C cinema for
agreeing to show the requested film.
Afterwards all the children, re-united back at the Baan Jing Jai,
exchanged stories of their individual activities of the day, some
explaining the normal fishing tales of how big was the one that got
away, whilst others demonstrated the fighting scenes from the movie.
Then it was time to tuck into a donated meal to round off the day and
continue their stories.
It is the first time that we have attempted different activities on the
same day, and despite all the logistic problems prior to the event, it
was a resounding success. Thanks again to all those who donated money
for the day.
YWCA and PSC serve lunch to Banglamung School
The kindhearted adults
pose for a picture with
the students from Banglamung School.
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
School lunch was provided for 117 students at Banglamung School
on February 22, organized by the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center and the
Pattaya Sports Club.
 We
thank you, kindhearted adults, for sacrificing your time to offer lunch
to us.
The group of visitors was led by Dujduan Ruangwettiwong, chairwoman of
the YWCA, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, who heads the YWCA’s Love at Different
Ages Project, and Bernie Tuppin, charity chairman of the PSC.
Dujduan said the lunch was organized as part of the YWCA’s ongoing
project to serve lunch to students at schools in the Pattaya area, in
which one school is selected each month. Accompanying the meal was a vat
of ice cream, served as a highly popular dessert.
The group also asked about the possibility of installing two washbasins
at the school, Bernie Tuppin saying that if agreed, the PSC would send
along a skilled worker to fit the basins.
Students excitedly wait
for their turn to receive some ice cream from the YWCA.
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