9 May 2011 at Arts and Culture Centre

Exchange students and staff learn about Thai cultures: Northeastern

music instruments such as Pong Lang ( a log xylophone), Hai (a jar),

Khaen (a flute harmonica), Phin (a Thai handcraft guitar).

Exchange student learns how to play traditional Thai musical instrument. The saw duang is a bowed string instrument used in Thai music.

Learning Thai etiquette: Traditional Thai greeting

The wai is the traditional Thai greeting. It is done by pressing your hands together in front of your chest or face and bowing slightly.

Free time activities: Exchange students and staff play Hula Hoop.

10 May 2011 Sakon Nakhon Vice Governor, Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana, gave opening

remarks for the Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Sub-region

Countries: Laos and Vietnam at Phu Phan Place, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat

University.

Project Report by Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University (SNRU) on the Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater Sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam.

After the opening remarks, Sakon Nakhon Vice Governor, Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana, Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice president of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, distinguished guests and delegates from the participating Thai Universities, and the Mekong Great Sub-region countries (GMS) have their photos taken together.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boonpong Kaewrodom, the president of Suvannakhet University, received a present from Sakon Nakhon Vice Governor, Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana for his support and participation in the project.

Sakon Nakhon Vice Governor, Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana and Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai greeted the 39 exchange students from GMS Countries-Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

In the afternoon, at Arts and Cultures Centre, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Exchange students and staff learn how to paint pictures or favourite patterns on the cloth bag and keep it for souvenir.

GMS cloth bags are made in Thailand. Well done!

Learn Thai etiquette

Demonstration of Thai Folk dance

Afterward, exchange students and staff crowded at SNRU’s kitchen learning how to cook Thai food such as Padthai, Stir- fried chicken with ginger, Som Tum and Thai chicken curry Bamboo shoots.

11 May 2011 at Phu Phan Place Hotel Exchange students and staff learn Thai, Lao and Vietnamese. Thai and Lao students study Vietnamese. And Vietnamese students study Thai and Lao.

In the afternoon, participating staff and students visit Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (RMUTI).

Joining an Official Welcome Dinner at Nong Han the Elegant Hotel

Sakon Nakhon Vice Governor, Mrs. Vittaya Prasongwattana performs a blessing ceremony (Bai Sri Su Kwun).

Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice President of SNRU ties a white holy string to encourage mental strength of exchange students.

The activities include (Chern Phra Kwun Dance), Ancient Boxing Art and Three countries cultural shows.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice president of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University and exchange students have a photo taken together after the Three Countries Cultural Shows.

12 May 2011 All participating staff and students have city sightseeing at Wat phra That Chuengchum Wore Vihara, Ajahn Mun Bhuritatto Museum, Wat Paa Suthawas and Phu Phan Royal Development Education Center, Phu Phan Palace

In the afternoon, all participants visit Kasetsart University (KU), Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus and meet with KU vice-president and administrators.

13 May 2011 Visit Ban Na Chok (Ho Chi Minh’s House) and museum, the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship bridge and worship Phra That Phanom

Ban Na Chok (Ho Chi Minh’s House) and museum

Worship Phra That Phanom

14 May 2011 Leave Nakhon Phanom for Tha Khaek city, Kham Muan province, Laos

Vist Thamnang Ene Cave in Laos

Sunday 15 May 2011 Visit Kim Lien Village, Nghe An City

Monday 16 May 2011 Visit Phong Nha Cave, Quang Binh City

Visit Vihn University

Group presentation on how to preserve environment

17 May 2011 Visit QBU and meet Vice director of International Relations of Quang Binh University (QBU)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice president of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University briefs on the project at QUB.

Vice Director of International Relations receives a GMS t-shirt as a token of appreciation from Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice president of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University.

Participating students of QBU expresses her appreciation and experiences towards the GMS project.

Laos students studying at Quang Binh University perform their typical ethnic dance.

Group Activities and Presentation

All participants brainstorm and prepare for a presentation.

Each group also create own acts and song.

Each day ends with a group presentation.

18 May 2011 Visit Thai Studies Center at Quang Tri Teacher Traning College (QTTC)

Meet President of QTTC

Participate at President HO Chi Minh’s Birthday celebration Cultural Performance

Thursday 19 May 2011 Visit Quang Tri Museum

Visit Tomb of Khai Dinh Emperor, Hue City

Visit Dai Noi (Royal Palace)

Enjoy Hue dance performance and embark Huong Yang River Cruise

Group Activities

20 May 2011 Visit Hue University of Sciences and meet Director of International Relations

Briefing on Education management of Hue University of Sciences

Exchange Vietnameses of University of Science, Quangbihn, Vietname expressed her appreciation and experiences on the reception meeting at her university during participating in the project.

Visit a classroom

Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai received a painting as a token from Vice president of Hue University of Sciences.

Visit Jien Pier in Hue

21 May 2011 Visit Savannakhet University and meet President Briefing on Education management of Lao PDR and Savannakhet University

And visit The Phra That Ing Hang in Savannakhet.

Visit Savan Beer Factory

Group Activities

Group presentation

22 May 2011 Group Activities: Exchange staff and students enjoy a night together before leaving for home countries.

Feeling expression on friends’ back

Candle ceremony to express the feeling about this project and about friends at Ploy Palace Hotel, Mukdahan province

Candle ceremony to express the feeling about this project and about friends at Ploy Palace Hotel, Mukdahan province

23 May 2011 Visit Ho Kaeo Mukdahan, Manorom Mountain and Phu Pha Thoep National Park

Visit Manorom Mountain

Visit Phu Pha Thoep National Park

Visit Navamintarachinee Mukdahan Industrial and Community Education College (MUKCC)

Villagers come to receive all exchange staff and students at a meeting hall of the Model Village of Isan community.

Exchange students join in local performance.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat

University, and administrators of Mukdahan Community College are having lunch together with all exchange staff and students.

Farewell Dinner and Cultural performance at Ploy Palace, Mukdahan Mukdahan Governor

President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University-Mr. Panya Mahachai reports on the completion of the Thai Student Exchange Program between Greater sub-region Countries: Laos and Vietnam.

Deputy of Mukdahan Governor gives the keynote address about the project.

Mukdahan Governor awarded Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai a certificate of recognition.

Mukdahan Governor, Deputy of Mukdahan Governor, President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University-Mr. Panya Mahachai, Asst. Prof. Dr. Watana Suwannatrai, Vice-president of Graduate School and International Relations have a photo taken with distinguished guests, staff and exchange students from Thailand, Lao and Vietnam.

Deputy Governor of Mukdahan congratulated exchange students from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam for their great performance at a farewell party in Mukdahan.

Mr. Panya Mahachai, President of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University presented the flowers to congratulate exchange students from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam for their successful participation in the GMS project at a farewell party in Mukdahan.

We all enjoy dancing Ba Sa Lop.

24 May 2011 All exchange students say good bye

Sawasdee Thailand

Good bye, see you again next year