Special Report: Student Police program fosters bonds between Thailand and ASEAN

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BANGKOK, 21 October 2014 – At present the education standards of Thailand’s Royal Police Cadet Academy place it among a number of Thai institutes that have established a reputation for the high quality of their teaching methods, which has led to bilateral agreements with other countries to send some of their best students to study in Thailand. 

Mine Ye Min Kyam and Nay Myo Htut, are two of the four students from Myanmar chosen by the Myanmar Police Force to continue their studies at the Royal Police Cadet Academy in Nakhon Pathom Province, under a signed bilateral memorandum between the two institutions.

Police Major General, Tanom Malitong, commander of the police cadet division said that signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with institutes in countries within the ASEAN region is considered a major policy initiative by the present Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

Besides bilateral collaboration with various police academies in foreign countries, the Royal Police Cadet Academy is currently developing its curriculum on security, various short courses and a Masters Degree course, to support the ASEAN police, or ASEAN citizens wanting to come and study at the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

The curriculum the students from Myanmar enrolled in is the same as that of the Thai students. Mine Ye Min Kyam and Nay Myo Htut said that during their first 6 months, they had to make a lot of adjustments, especially getting used to the Thai language, which they had no background in, but with their teachers and classmates helping and guiding them, they both now speak Thai fluently. They have been treated warmly and are glad to have had this opportunity to enroll in the Academy.

When asked about their impressions, Nay Myo Htut expressed a great affection for the curriculum that the Royal Police Cadet Academy offers, especially with its Community Relations Projects and Parachuting, as in Myanmar, these courses can only be taught in theory. The Royal Police Cadet Academy offers the practical involvment as well, making him feel that he has received very valuable experience.

Mine Ye Min Kyam added that he also likes the parachuting experience, as the activity urges the individual to test his daring in making decisions, thus creating legitimate self confidence. He also gets to do an internship at police stations where he gains knowledge of the working lives of police officers on duty.

This bilateral memorandum exhibits the growing bonds of friendship Thailand now has with countries in the ASEAN region. By sharing each others culture, heritage, knowledge and language we foster a better understanding about other cultures, reduce misunderstandings and create better relationships among the nations of our region. This collaboration will soon expand to other countries, in addition to Vietnam and Myanmar, as the academy aims to develop a greater depth of knowledge of police force responsibilities and a closer relationship among ASEAN countries.