A Teacher’s Journey to A Teacher’s Journey to ThailandThailand

Chasidy MiroffChasidy MiroffFulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad ProgramFulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad Program

20072007

GeographyGeography

Thailand is located in Thailand is located in Southeast Asia.Southeast Asia.

The capital city is The capital city is Bangkok, the major Bangkok, the major economical and economical and financial center of financial center of Southeast Asia.Southeast Asia.

Thailand was once Thailand was once known as Siam.known as Siam.

The Chao Phraya RiverThe Chao Phraya River

This river runs This river runs through the heart of through the heart of Bangkok.Bangkok.

It is a major source It is a major source for transportation and for transportation and trade.trade.

Traditional Thai Traditional Thai homes are located homes are located along the banks of the along the banks of the river.river.

EducationEducation

There a various types of There a various types of schools throughout schools throughout Thailand.Thailand.

The Roon-A-Roong The Roon-A-Roong School is a private school School is a private school outside of Bangkok.outside of Bangkok.

Class sizes are small, Class sizes are small, and emphasis is placed and emphasis is placed on studying the teachings on studying the teachings of Buddha.of Buddha.

Roon-A RoongRoon-A Roong

Students at this Students at this school learn school learn academics, as well as academics, as well as physical education.physical education.

Students also enjoy Students also enjoy learning about music learning about music and dancing.and dancing.

Satri sri SuriyothaiSatri sri Suriyothai

Suriyothai is a public Suriyothai is a public school for girls in school for girls in Bangkok.Bangkok.

Over 2000 students Over 2000 students attend this school.attend this school.

Students learn Students learn academics, as well as academics, as well as a strong foundation of a strong foundation of home economics.home economics.

Hill Tribe SchoolHill Tribe School

The hill tribes of northern The hill tribes of northern Thailand are among the Thailand are among the most disadvantaged most disadvantaged people in the country.people in the country.

They face problems with They face problems with citizenship, which makes citizenship, which makes public education difficult.public education difficult.

They live in rural villages, They live in rural villages, and they learn agriculture and they learn agriculture and craft skills.and craft skills.

Thai FoodThai Food

Thailand is famous for Thailand is famous for excellent food.excellent food.

Pad Thai is a Pad Thai is a traditional Thai noodle traditional Thai noodle dish.dish.

The Rambutan is a The Rambutan is a fruit that can only be fruit that can only be found in Thailand. It found in Thailand. It is nicknamed “hairy is nicknamed “hairy fruit.” It is delicious!fruit.” It is delicious!

The Floating MarketThe Floating Market

Floating markets are Floating markets are popular throughout popular throughout Thailand.Thailand.

People trade food, People trade food, spices, and spices, and souvenirs.souvenirs.

Tourists and locals Tourists and locals visit these markets visit these markets daily.daily.

Thai MassageThai Massage

Wat Pho Massage Wat Pho Massage School in Bangkok is School in Bangkok is the best place to learn the best place to learn the art of traditional the art of traditional Thai massage.Thai massage.

The legendary Thai The legendary Thai massage promotes massage promotes good circulation and good circulation and overall health.overall health.

LampangLampang Elephant Conservation Center Elephant Conservation Center

Elephants are a huge part Elephants are a huge part of Thai culture and of Thai culture and history.history.

This conservation center This conservation center is the only place in is the only place in Thailand that promises Thailand that promises the elephants are treated the elephants are treated humanely.humanely.

Elephants are trained by Elephants are trained by mahouts, and some mahouts, and some elephants can even paint elephants can even paint pictures.pictures.

BuddhismBuddhism Buddhism is the Buddhism is the

major religion of major religion of Thailand.Thailand.

Every male in Every male in Thailand should Thailand should become a Buddhist become a Buddhist monk at one point in monk at one point in his life, for varying his life, for varying amounts of time.amounts of time.

The video on this The video on this screen shows screen shows information on information on Buddhism for Buddhism for students.students.

The HistoryThe History

Thailand was once Thailand was once known as Siam.known as Siam.

The country has had The country has had many capitals, from many capitals, from Sukothai to Ayutthaya Sukothai to Ayutthaya to Bangkok.to Bangkok.

Currently, Thailand is Currently, Thailand is under the direction of under the direction of King Bhumipol, also King Bhumipol, also known as King Rama known as King Rama IX.IX.

ConclusionConclusion

Thailand is filled with exciting culture and Thailand is filled with exciting culture and history.history.

The people of Thailand always smile and The people of Thailand always smile and greet visitors with a warm welcome.greet visitors with a warm welcome.

Thailand is important to study, because it Thailand is important to study, because it connects the United States to Southeast connects the United States to Southeast Asia.Asia.