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Thai students learn American values and cultures
Mr. Darryl N. Johnson,
standing 4th from left, Mrs. Kathleen F. Johnson, right, Directors of
Exploration Seminar in Northern Thailand University (of Washington),
accompanied the students from the University of Washington , USA visited
Chiang Mai University. On hand to welcome the visitors was Associate Prof.
Dr. Tanan Anumanrajadhon, the vice president for Foreign Affairs, and Human
Resources Development, standing 3rd from right.
To promote cross-cultural awareness and opportunities in
a multicultural world, the U.S. Embassy in Thailand sponsored the first
Cross-Cultural Leaders (XCL) Camp in Chiang Mai.
The event was organized by ACE! The Academy for EducationUSA. Cultural
Affairs Officer Kenneth L. Foster gave remarks to almost a hundred students
and teachers from 17 high schools in the upper northern region who attended
the three-day camp, while Information Resource Assistant, Ms. Baralee
Sukontarangsi, conducted an all-day workshop on creating Powerpoint
presentations designed to raise cultural awareness about the United States
through U.S. government web sites such as USA.gov and USINFO.state.gov. By
browsing and searching for information on these web sites, participants
learned more about the American government, the educational system, society
and values.
Fire in the bow concert charms audience in Chiang Rai
Past President of Rotary Maechan Khun Somrit
Pantarat, owner of Taweeheng Leasing, who donated 23 violins to start
the Chiangrai Youth & Hill Tribes Project in 2006, with Khun Tanin
Siriratanothai and Geertje Podevyn.
On August 25th, Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, together with the
Rotary Club of Maechan, hosted a very special concert of the Chiang Rai
Youth Orchestra at the Wiang Inn Hotel in Chiang Rai: Fire in the Bow
with accompanist violinist Geertje Podevyn from Belgium playing in a
multi-ethnic concert.
 Violinists
from four different hill tribes of Chiang Rai performed at the Fire in
the Bow concert.
Over 400 guests who filled the concert room not only enjoyed music, but
also the particular multi-ethnic flavor of an ensemble which was chosen
to be different: “A string orchestra open to everyone who loves music
and which proudly promotes its northern roots and culture”.
Many guests made the trip from Chiang Mai and Bangkok for this special
evening which was enhanced by the presence of Khun Thanit Vajarodaya,
Director of the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary, and
Khun Wittaya Tumornsoontorn, of the board of Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Bundit Sitson classical and jazz concert
The Music Department of Payap
University presents a junior concert by Bundit Sitson who will perform
classic and jazz music on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 19:30. The event
will take place at the Payap Music Hall, Mae Kao Campus and admission is
free.
Prem school volunteers
launch charity calendar
‘Chiang Mai is a Wonderful Place to Live’
was the theme chosen as students submitted their drawings and art work
to complete the project.
Ramlah M. Jafri
The idea came over lunch in a small restaurant. We lamented the fact
that so many visitors just skim the surface of our city, staying only a
night or two, rushing in and out, missing so much else to experience -
sights and sites that we ‘locals’ take them to see, and observe their
huge enjoyment.
 The
desktop calendar will benefit charitable organizations in Chiang Mai.
So how to encourage tourists to stay longer? To experience the ‘real’
Chiang Mai beyond the tour groups and the predictable one or two night
packages? How to portray our historic city in a dimension beyond the
travel brochures? The topic turned to how children reflect their
observations so beautifully in art. Soon we were talking about kids
painting pictures of Chiang Mai - to create an exhibition maybe? And how
might tourism promotion benefit poor children? And how could we sustain
interest long term?
So why not a useful, unusual, non-commercial charity calendar, sitting
nicely in homes and offices all over the world for 12 months or even
more. Something worth keeping, just looking at, appreciate, and show to
friends? So, it has happened....And we are proud to share it with you.
It’s a lovely, unusual 40-page 2008 full color desk calendar featuring
13 children’s paintings, selected by judges from a total of 93
submissions, representing why they think ‘Chiang Mai is a Wonderful
Place to Live’ Full calendar month pages run from December 2007 to
January 2009, so it can be used for overlapping years.
How can it support charities? – The entire project has been created by
volunteers, the layouts and artworks offered free of charge, and the
printing done at cost. We have no administrative or other expenses of
any kind - we pay for our own transportation, materials, phone calls
etc., and we secured an interest-free loan to pay the printer in
advance. Once the printing cost is covered, every single baht will go to
a ‘charity pot’ - and the proceeds donated to deserving organizations
supporting children in need. The paintings themselves will be sold, and
the total revenue added to the ‘pot’
Visit the website: http://chiangmaicalendar.googlepages .com/home
The calendar can be purchased for 100 baht at Rimping supermarkets, the
Amari Rincome Hotel and the Maetaman Elephant Camp.
Living in Chiang Mai
Seminar for newcomers
A one-session introductory seminar for newcomers to the community and
anyone else who loves ChiangMai and wants to share info will take place
on Saturday, September 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Raintree Resource
Center (east side of Chiang Mai Lamphun Road at Nawarat Bridge). The
seminar is free. For information, please contact Chiang Mai Community
Church at 053-244-820 or Norma Morse at 089-953-4850.
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