Hua Hin: Student studying in the open gets a result - but it's a big Thai show that masks problems

 

Picture: Prachuap Post

 

Amid all the back slapping and photo opportunity of the story of Nong View comes a stark reality for many children and parents largely abandoned in the mess that has been the closure of schools and rush to learn online in the pandemic without the necessary infrastructure.

 

View is the young student valiantly struggling to keep up her sixth form studies under an umbrella out in the open in Hua Hin because her home internet was so bad.

 

Her story received widespread attention and soon everyone was trying to show they cared.

 

Cared about Thai students, cared about their future. Cared about the future of the country.

 

But many are saying this is just another example of a public show in Thailand masking hidden problems that go undressed amid the hype of a photo opportunity.

 

Picture: Prachuap Post

 

View's problems are now over and she was pictured happily doing her lessons now at home after something as simple as a decent router and cable was installed.

 

Good for View, she is a fine young lady who deserves every assistance.

 

But dozens of people and news crews have been to see her. Earlier this week there was the school director, TOT executive's, education authorties. Even top level people from Bangkok Hua Hin hospital got in on the act along with the teachers.

 

Online praise for the resolution was predictably happy and people were glad that View would be following her dreams. She is after all aspiring to be a doctor - a favorite among Asians due to its apparent altruism.

 

But what about the millions of children who are not so lucky. Many have been twiddling their thumbs at home without adequate internet or with none at all during the effective lockdown that has seen many miss week upon week of classes.

 

Picture: Prachuap Post

 

Coming on top of the first wave of the pandemic last year children have missed months of learning with their peers.

 

Yes, some schools have put effort into providing online lessons. Parents have done their best to act as educators and middlemen. But their collective efforts and encouragements  are only as good as the technology on the other end.

 

Are only as good as the support network.

 

And despite claims in Thailand last week that the country enjoys some of the fastest internet in the world  many don't even have a connection leaving particularly poorer communities vulnerable.

 

Picture: Prachuap Post

 

And many will say that even when children go back to classes - next week hopefully for some - there will be not only greater disparity between the haves and the have nots but they will be back in a system that is out of date and in need of repair before standards in education can be considered remotely reasonably for millions.

 

Amid all the praise on a story on the page of Prachuap Post on Facebook came comments facing that reality.

 

PHP said in comments translated from Thai  and "liked" by many: "Dozens of people turn up for one kid. If you can help all the other children in need - thanks"

 

They added a mock hashtag : #lots of other kids should be in the news

 

Chonnikan S. Weighed in with: "That's Thailand for you. Get in the news and everyone beats a path to your door".

 

Nong View may have got a router and there may be plenty of smiles - but the reality is that it is putting a bandaid on a festering sore and expecting the people to believe it will mean the patient will recover.

 

Thailand's children deserve more than that.

 

Sourws: Prachuap Post | Prachuap Post

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-01-27

 

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4 minutes ago, webfact said:

another example of a public show in Thailand masking hidden problems that go undressed amid the hype of a photo opportunity.

So true, and things aren't going to change in the long term. One word.................."Face".

I'd like to put a bit of blame and responsibility on her parents. I know I'm bad.

Honestly.. she could just tether her laptop to her phone.. and the government could offer free url for education sites the same way as facebook free works.. problem solved for many more kids

What a load of b++++ks, why has a hospital got involved?

Just for publicity, many thousands of children in the same situation, just quietly going about their studies best they can, without all the attention seekers getting in on the act.

Exactly - Seeking publicity from the situation - truly cringeworthy.

I feel even worse for the poor girl now.

 

As if it wasn't bad enough, she now has to pose for these cringey photos with a load of virtue signalers and attention seekers who had zero interest in her plight until it went viral.  

 

Her body language in this picture says it all.

 

Look at the photos. So much for social distancing. ????

24 minutes ago, colinneil said:

What a load of b++++ks, why has a hospital got involved?

Just for publicity, many thousands of children in the same situation, just quietly going about their studies best they can, without all the attention seekers getting in on the act.

If the hospital wants some brownie points for 'Corporate Social Responsibility', then they should let all kids in their catchment area know they will support them to the same level.

That could create a win-win situation for the hospital and the kids - apart from the hospital accounts department. With the expense involved they'd probably end up in ICU - at staff rates of course.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's children deserve more than that.

Nuff said

Everyone showing a thumb. The caption should be "I usually have this up my rs but it's out for the photo op"

6 hours ago, webfact said:

She is after all aspiring to be a doctor - a favorite among Asians due to its apparent altruism.

Strange comment. “Apparent altruism” 

 

Natai Beach notes he couldn’t find that comment in the link kindly provided.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

stark reality for many children and parents largely abandoned in the mess that has been the closure of schools and rush to learn online in the pandemic without the necessary infrastructure.

 

it has been a big problem for a lot of countries. 
 

Internet is expensive in Australia and as slow as an old mule in many areas. 
Many kids from poor families are missing out. 
 

I reckon Nong View will be alright now.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Her story received widespread attention and soon everyone was trying to show they cared.

 

Cared about Thai students, cared about their future. Cared about the future of the country.

All so very false and sickening.

If they truly cared, all the Kids in the Country would have decent access to the Internet by now.

On 1/27/2021 at 9:43 AM, colinneil said:

What a load of b++++ks, why has a hospital got involved?

Just for publicity, many thousands of children in the same situation, just quietly going about their studies best they can, without all the attention seekers getting in on the act.

 

Precisely. Photogenic youth offers prime photo op. I am sure the ground shook as they stampeded to get in the photos.

Scumbags. There for free publicity.