PROGRAM COUNTRY: THaILand - STS

PROGRAM COUNTRY: THaILand
STS – more than 50 years of experience in student exchange programs all over the world
In Thailand you will meet more smiling people
than anywhere else in the world and that is
the reason why Thailand is often called
the “Land Of Smiles”. This beautiful
country attracts more visitors than
any other country in the Southeast
BanGkOk
Asia. It is a kingdom where you find
hospi table human beings, impressive
culture, fantastic Buddhist temples,
exotic wildlife, beautiful islands and much
more. Thailand is an incredibly interesting
place to experience.
COunTry InfOrmaTIOn
Thai’ in the Thai language means ‘freedom’. So,
Thailand means “Land of Freedom” or “Land
of the free”. Thailand unofficially became the
Kingdom of Thailand in 1939 after a unified
Thai kingdom had existed since the mid-14th century and had
been known as Siam. In1945 the name Siam was taken back only
to be changed once again to Thailand in 1949 by official proclamation.
It is the only country in Southeast Asia which has never been
colonized by European powers. Thanks to this Thailand has kept
much of its original culture, a very unique culture that cannot be
found anywhere else in the world.
The country is populated by roughly 65 million citizens, the majorities
(roughly 80 %) of whom are ethnically Thai and really lovely,
gentle, polite, soft spoken, friendly, and welcoming people. The
number of citizens living in the capital Bangkok is hard to count
but the number often mentioned is approximately 7 million. In the
south near the Malaysian border the majority of the citizens are
Muslim whilst in the northern mountains hill tribal ethnic groups,
such as Hmong and Karen are found. Most Thai citizens are Buddhist
(95 %). The rest are Muslims (4,6 %) and Christians (0,75 %)
mainly Catholics. Sikhs & Hindus are of tiny, but influential minority.
The nation also has a small Jewish community. English is
spoken and understood in most parts of Thailand. This is most
probably due to the countries cosmopolitan city Bangkok and the
well-established tourism. The official language is Thai or one of
its’ local dialects which more than 92 % of the inhabitants speak.
Thailand is the geographical heart of Southeast Asia. It is about
the same size as Spain, France or Texas. Thailand’s weather is generally
hot and humid almost all year around with daily temperatures
rarely falling below 31 ° C. Bangkok is known as the world’s
hottest major city. There are cities that reach higher temperatures
than Bangkok but on an overall yearly basis, Bangkok has an average
daily temperature of at least 30 °C. The country basically has
three seasons, hot, rainy and cold season but since it is a big country
it offers suitable weather somewhere in the country all year around.
Thailand is divided into four major regions, each with its own distinctive
character. There is everything from mountains and jungle
to fertile agricultural land, beautiful beaches and tropical islands.
As much as 13 % of Thailand is covered by national parks and is
home to many endangered animals including elephants, leopards
and wild tigers, which the Thais of course are very proud of. The
elephant is Thailand’s national symbol. They are considered as the
symbol of peace and prosperity.
Thai food is very different to European food. Many Thai dishes
are spicy but can be adjusted. Most Thai food is made with fresh
vegetables and rice is eaten with almost every meal. Thai meals do
not differ according to the time of day. A Thai breakfast consists of
the same kinds of dishes that will be served for dinner.
SCHOOL LIfe
There are both public and private high schools in Thailand. Most
of the Thai students study in public schools. The Thai high school
have two semesters each years and begins in mid-May until the
end of September for the first semester and then the second semester
runs from November to mid-March. The summer holiday
runs from mid-March to mid-May. High school consists of Grade
10–12. Exchange students can choose to apply for short term,
semester or a full academic school year. Exchange students go to
school from Monday to Friday. The day starts at about 7:15 am and
finishes around 3:30 pm. Actual classes start at about 8 am but depending
on the school and grade levels, classes can finish between
2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. The average school day finishes at 3:30 pm.
The exchange students have courses together with Thai students
during the day. There are eight periods of classes during one day.
Each session is normally about 45–50 minutes. Different subjects
are offered at school. Thai, English, math, science, Buddhist studies
are typical compulsory classes for Thai students. Exchange students
do not have any compulsory classes unless they need certain
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PROGRAM COUNTRY: THaILand
subjects for their transcription for when they return to their home
countries. Computer studies, health education, physical education,
classical Thai music, Thai dance, Thai crafts, Thai illustration, Thai
painting, Thai cooking etc. are examples of elective subjects. Sports
are always offered at the schools. Some schools offer more sports
than others but there are always ways for students to play sports
they like. There is football, volleyball, badminton, swimming, basketball,
handball, hockey, judo, tae kwan do, track & field and
tennis. To take part in a sport is a great opportunity for exchange
students to make new friends. In most cases, exchange students
take extra Thai courses to improve their Thai proficiency. Students
are encouraged to talk freely about a variety of topics about real life
situations and all aspects of Thai culture and modern society. Additional
practice of word usages and sentence drills and other helpful
class activities are organized. Thai schools teach both English and
Thai languages which have various activities to help students to
learn. From the beginner level to advanced level, students will fully
develop their Thai speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
All Thai schools have uniforms codes and strict grooming standard.
There are also school rules regarding jewelry, length of skirts and
dresses etc. There are many shops that sell school uniforms and the
host families will take the students to get their uniforms. In Thai
schools students must look neat and tidy. The boys for example
must have their shirts tucked neatly into their trousers and cannot
have long hair. Girls cannot wear skirts too short and are limited
in how much jewelry they can wear. All Thai schools have canteens
that sell freshly cooked food. Students always have lunch at school
and it is really cheap. Students will call their teachers by their first
name but with the Thai word for ‘teacher’ or ‘professor’ in front of
the first name. The Thai word for ‘teacher’ is ‘ajarn’. If for example the
teacher’s name is Sompon, the student will call him, ‘Ajarn Sompon’.
Just like, ‘teacher Sompon’. However the student can also call the
teacher ‘Mr Sompon’ or Ms. Jirapat’. Thai teachers will consider
this a polite way to be addressed. But the exchange students would
be better off using the Thai version as they should be learning as
much Thai as possible and getting used to using Thai whenever possible.
Thai teachers are expected to know some English. We highly
encourage exchange students to communicate in Thai, which will
improve their Thai proficiency quickly. In each school we have one
teacher who will take care of our inbound students. The student
can discuss all subjects with them. We also have a teacher who can
always advise any of the exchange students if they need to talk.
HOST famILy LIfe
The host families are carefully selected. The area representatives are
required to visit the host families personally to discuss each host
family’s expectations and prepare them for the responsibilities of
a successful hosting experience. Through the whole year, the area
representatives will keep in close contact with the host families
and the students, to ensure that every students are encouraged to
introduce food from their own cultures too. Apart from knives
and forks, the students will experience using a spoon and fork and
occasionally chopsticks in Thailand. Thais use a spoon and fork to
eat almost all daily meals. Western style cuisine, snack foods etc.
are becoming more and more popular in Thailand. Students therefore
still have the chance to have Western food when they miss it.
During the year, students will celebrate the Thai holidays with the
host family, such as Song Kran Festival to celebrate the Thai New
Year in April, Loi Kratong Festival to honor the Buddha which
involves floating ‘Gratong’, (an ornate offering traditionally made
from banana leaves, lotus leaves and lotus flowers, incense sticks
and candles that people will release onto rivers, canals and lakes
all across Thailand and Laos.) Loi Kratong festival takes place on
the evening of a full moon in November. Another important holiday
is the King’s Birthday on December 5 which is also Father’s
Day. Thais also observe the New Year celebrations according to the
western calendar on December 31. Holidays are a time for family
reunions, sitting together with loved ones, setting off firecrackers
and watching traditional entertainment such as classical Thai dancing
known as ‘Lumm Thai’. Manners and etiquette between adults,
the elderly and the young are very important In Thai culture. It is
polite, common practice to address your elders as ‘older brother/
older sister’, ‘grandfather/grandmother’ etc. even when you are not
related and even if you do not know the person. On the whole,
young Thai people are polite, respectful, friendly, very easy going
and accepting. Young Thai people are taught to respect their elders.
PrOGram exTraS
There are many interesting places worth visiting in Thailand. During
the exchange year the students will have the opportunity to visit
many interesting places either together with their host family or/
and with other exchange students and area representatives. Thais
are wonderful hosts and love to show international visitors around.
Most of the host families love to travel and they will take their
exchange sons or daughters along with them. Northern Thailand
has mountains, forests, ethnic hill tribes etc. It borders Burma and
Laos. The north east has very little foreign tourists compared to
other parts of Thailand and is mainly a rural area. Central Thailand
has a lot of rice fields, forests, national parks etc. The east borders
Laos and Cambodia and is a very interesting place and a great way
to see an authentic side of Thai rural culture without the normal
tourist traps. The southwest and southeast have coastlines, beautiful
tropical islands that offer great scuba diving. There are islands in
the Gulf of Thailand, on both the east and west mainland coasts
and also the Andaman Sea along the southwest of Thailand. The
far south of Thailand borders Malaysia. Bangkok itself is a very
large city with many interesting things to see and do. Bangkok is
a mixture of old traditional Thailand and also a fusion of Thai and
western cultures. It just depends which parts of the city you go to.
More information about excursions in Thailand will be given to the
students once they have arrived in Thailand.
Welcome to Thailand!
All information is subject to change.
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