SAIS Thai Club

SAIS Thai ClubReport for the Annual Thai Club Meeting28 August 2012

Club Basics

Club Mission and HistoryMission• The SAIS Thai Club endeavors to raise the profile ofThailand and its culture through events exposing the studentbody to the breadth of Thailand's unique identity.History• Established in 2006 with support from the Ministry ofForeign Affairs of Thailand

LeadershipAlexis Collatos, PresidentAlexis is a second year Southeast Asia studies student atSAIS. A native of Boston, MA, she spent a year in ChiangMai as a Princeton in Asia fellow teaching English at PayapUniversity.Jatuchatra Chommai, Vice PresidentJatuchatra is a second year Southeast Asia Studies studentat SAIS. He works in Thailand’s government sector and iscurrently on study leave.Andrew Wasuwongse, TreasurerAndrew is a second year Southeast Asia Studies student atSAIS. Andrew is half-Thai and has worked for NGOs inChiang Mai and Mae Sot, and taught English in Si Saketprovince.

Membership

2011-2012 Activities

2011-2012 ActivitiesFundraising for Thai Flood Relief• Week-long fund raising campaign for Thai flood victims.• Raised $1256.08 from 146 donations and transferred thedonations to the Thai Red Cross.• $50 gift certificate for a Thai restaurant and charity giftsprovided by the Royal Thai Embassy were raffled off.SAIS International Dinner• Showed different countries’ cuisine and culture.• Club members cooked several dishes of Thai food toshare at the event – Spring-rolls, Pad See Ew, ChickenCurry and etc.• Members dressed in traditional Thai costumes.

2011-2012 ActivitiesLunch Seminar• Thai Club sponsored a lunch event - The ObamaAdministration in Southeast Asia: A Report Card for 2011.• Prof. Catherine Dalpino, former Deputy AssistantSecretary of State and visiting SAIS scholar.Songkran Happy Hour• Provided Thai food, iced tea, and beer along withtraditional Songkran decorations and outfits.• Club members performed Thai music.• Contests and prizes drew a large crowd.

2011-2012 ActivitiesInternational Appetizers & SAIS Talent Show• Thai Club participated in the International Appetizers &SAIS Talent Show.• Contributed two of Thailand’s most famous dishes -Chicken Satay and Spring-rolls.Luncheon Seminar with Thai Defense Attaché• Thai Club invited Senior Col. Saranyu Viriyavejakul,Defense Attaché at the Thai Embassy, to speak at aluncheon seminar on Thai-American Military Relations inthe Context of the U.S. Pivot to Asia.• Discussant – Prof. Zachary Abuza of the National WarCollege.

Sample of Planned2012-2013 CulturalActivities

2012-2013 Cultural ActivitiesThai Club Welcome Event• Social event at the beginning of the year.• Welcome incoming SAIS students and introduce them to the SAIS Thaiclub.• Bring together current club members to reconnect.Thai Cooking Class• Continuation of the SAIS Thai Club’s 2009 cooking series .• Introduce Thai food to SAIS students and raise awareness of Thaicuisine as one of the World’s major cuisines.• 2 hour cooking class with a classically trained Thai chef.• Students will contribute $10 each to cover the cost of ingredients.

2012-2013 Cultural ActivitiesMovie Nights• Showcase Thai art and culture through classic as well as contemporaryThai films and documentaries.• Encourage students to discuss and share their reactions andimpressions to the films after showing.SAIS Thai Club Happy Hour• Annual Thai Club happy hour.• Showcase Thai culture by holding a Thai boxing demonstration andshowing a traditional Thai dance troupe.• Thai-themed food and drinks will be catered and sold to raise moneyfor the club.

Sample of Planned2012-2013 AcademicActivities

2012-13 Academic ActivitiesDiscussion Series• By partnering with other student clubs and organizations, Thai Club will hosta number of academic and policy events.• Series will promote better understanding of Thailand and its contributions tothe international community.• Format of such events will be either lunch seminars or lunch roundtableforums.• Possible topics include:• Case studies in development: How Thailand became a developmentsuccess story• The Chiang Mai Initiative and aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis• Emerging markets: Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia• Thai-Myanmar Relations in the context of the U.S. re-engagement withMyanmar•

2012-13 Academic ActivitiesTalks on Career Opportunities in Thailand and Southeast Asia• Thai Club will invite SAIS alumni to a lunch event to share their careerexperience in Thailand.• Will draw on our SAIS alumni community’s strength.• Goal is to broaden SAIS students’ perspective on career opportunities in theregion as well as to provide students a chance to get connected with theiralumni.Dinner with Thai Diplomats• Bring together SAIS students and Thai Diplomats from the Royal ThaiEmbassy in Washington, D.C.• Will give SAIS students an opportunity to learn more about Thailand andits role in the world as well as the Embassy’s functions in conducting Thaiforeign policy.

Issues and Obstacles

Issues and ObstaclesExpanding Membership and ReachRegional clubs at SAIS have smaller memberships than otherclubs with broader focuses. Building a stronger membershipbase continues to be a challenge.Ensuring ContinuityWith yearly leadership and membership turnover, it can bedifficult to remain organized and keep good records.Small Club, Big PlansSAIS Thai Club has an ambitious agenda planned, butdemanding academic schedules and job-hunting makes findingthe time and resources to put on events difficult.

Thank you!