Education official begs Bangkok protesters to disperse

[webfact]

Education Official Begs Protesters To Disperse
By Khaosod Onnline

BANGKOK: -- The director of the Office of Basic Education Commission of Thailand (OBEC) has asked the anti-government protesters to disperse as soon as possible as their massive rally had forced many schools to shut down.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has ordered 24 schools to close, citing safety concerns for the students, while the administrators of Satri Wittaya School had no other choice than shutting down due to its extreme proximity to the rally stage at Democracy Monument.

According to Mr. Anont Sukhprakkit, OBEC director, said more schools might follow suit if the school principals deem it necessary.

Mr. Anont also pleaded to the protesters to disband due to the approaching end of the semester and final exams. "Morever, many students are going through university and college admission exams and need to attend schools," Mr. Anont said, adding that the OBEC is currently working to arrange additional classes for the students on weekends if possible.

Secretary to the OBEC, Mr Aphichat Jirawutthilekhatigarn, had also instructed many schools to be aware of the students’ safety during the political turmoil. Schools are appointed to report the situation at noon and evenings to the 24 hour coordinate centre arranged by OBEC to observe the situation.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5UTXdOVGMxTlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-11-25

[Thai at Heart]

Well at least the kids are getting a first hand experience and understanding of the cost of running a corrupt government.

[webfact]

POLITICS
24 schools closed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Twenty-four schools run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in Phra Nakhon, Dusit and Pom Prap Sattru Phai districts have been ordered to cancel classes today and tomorrow. Deputy city clerk Atthaporn Suwathanadecha said yesterday that the measure was prompted by the protest on Ratchadamnoen Road.

Eight schools under the Education Ministry have also suspended classes today.


-- The Nation 2013-11-25

[SaamBaht]

Aren't thai schools already on perpetual holiday? this should be no concern of the Ministry of Education.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps they can study-at-home, using the free tablet-computers 'just like Yingluck's one', which they were promised last election-time ?

And shouldn't the official make his appeal, equally to the pro-government protesters as well ?

[h90]

Good so they have time to attend the demonstrations.

[jaltsc]

"Secretary to the OBEC, Mr Aphichat Jirawutthilekhatigarn, had also instructed many schools to be aware of the students’ safety during the political turmoil."

Versus vocational schools not being aware of students' safety and the ongoing turmoil when school is in session?

[Local Drunk]

Good so they have time to attend the demonstrations.

Agree... Let them learn something real for a change.

[MaxLee]

"Education Official Begs Protesters To Disperse

By Khaosod Onnline

BANGKOK: -- The director of the Office of Basic Education Commission of Thailand (OBEC) has asked the anti-government protesters to disperse as soon as possible as their massive rally had forced many schools to shut down.

Students are actually getting smarter by ditching school and go out and open and witness what's really happening in Thailand and around the world. So they couldn't give a damn about a propaganda beyond brain damage brainwashing education system like in Thai-Chinese terms. Kids in Thailand are actually BETTER OFF avoiding that propaganda crap that the education ministries call Brainwashing-beyond-brain damage-repair Education...

[WhizBang]

BANGKOK: -- The director of the Office of Basic Education Commission of Thailand (OBEC) has asked the anti-government protesters to disperse as soon as possible as their massive rally had forced many schools to shut down.

Given the quality of education in Thailand, the closing of schools will go totally unnoticed as to the level of knowledge aquired by the students. In fact, as someone already pointed out, they may actually learn something from the on going situitation.

[hughmungus]

While cynical Falang expats love to wax philosophically and light fires about what the students learn in Thai public schools, there is a sense for many kids here that school provides a degree of normalcy for many students, in a politically (and "economically?") challenged state, particularly students too young to fully grasp the "well tempered" views of protesters, angry mobs and soldiers in the streets. Yes this is democracy in action. Yes, you can be critical of Thai curriculum all you want,(did anyone believe the tablet in every kitchen promises would happen and change things for the better?) but lets also be real about students lives beyond the realm of politics which there is more to life than arm chair hooligans who have nothing better to do than get drunk and sit on their <deleted> criticizing the place where they have chosen to spend their retirement dollars to exploit a cheaper lifestyle. Have you ever actually taught anything? Kids need consistency to learn and grow. Kids need to learn about the political process for certain, yet there is more to everyday life for kids than this, getting access to higher education (inside or outside the Kingdom) just like most spoiled foreigners have had. Thai public schools are far from perfect. You get what you don't pay for. So why don't you get off your butts and do something to help kids learn if you are content to be so critical in your new home?

[15Peter20]

can't...can't we just all get along?

[Bakseeda]

Education Official , But obviously Not an Educated Official.....

[slapout]

I sense a lack of total support even within the peanut gallery of this government, for the leadership. So far the Defense ministery, Education ministry, Labor ministry, and another one or two have pleaded for a end to the opposition protests. Where are the other offical pro government press releases? I would surmise the PM was not selective in her quest/orders for public support from all groups, who she has allowed to feed off of the taxpayers for the last two years .Is it possible they are awaiting the hand delivored statement, they are to put voice to, or are they making travel plans or looking for a deep burrow to retire to?

[upena]

Schools are shut down? Maybe now the kids can actually learn something

[JoeThePoster]

Education official begs Bangkok protesters to disperse

Vocational students getting restless with nowhere to brawl.

[Mosha]

Heck it's not like they can fail an exam is it.

[MrJohnson]

While cynical Falang expats love to wax philosophically and light fires about what the students learn in Thai public schools, there is a sense for many kids here that school provides a degree of normalcy for many students, in a politically (and "economically?") challenged state, particularly students too young to fully grasp the "well tempered" views of protesters, angry mobs and soldiers in the streets. Yes this is democracy in action. Yes, you can be critical of Thai curriculum all you want,(did anyone believe the tablet in every kitchen promises would happen and change things for the better?) but lets also be real about students lives beyond the realm of politics which there is more to life than arm chair hooligans who have nothing better to do than get drunk and sit on their <deleted> criticizing the place where they have chosen to spend their retirement dollars to exploit a cheaper lifestyle. Have you ever actually taught anything? Kids need consistency to learn and grow. Kids need to learn about the political process for certain, yet there is more to everyday life for kids than this, getting access to higher education (inside or outside the Kingdom) just like most spoiled foreigners have had. Thai public schools are far from perfect. You get what you don't pay for. So why don't you get off your butts and do something to help kids learn if you are content to be so critical in your new home?

Thank you for a very sensible post. Makes a nice change from the cynical, self-serving and negative posts on this topic. There are no doubt problems with the Thai education and I have seen them first hand. However, this is about the rights of children to go to and from school without fear of violence. Surely this should be a universal right.

[tingtongteesood]

If the kids would out down their damn computer games for 10 mins and pay attention to what is going on then they may grow up the better for it. They will see first hand that for a good economy and well run country you need people who know how to do the job and have the country's interests at heart - the exact opposite of the current idiots. This is Thai history in the making and they have ringside seats. ANY THAI PARENTS here - take this opportunity to give your kids some real. education especially about morals and ethics and just maybe the country will benefit from it. I have friends who watch Blue Sky and make their 8 and 10 year old kids watch some with them and whilst they do not understand completely, they ask their parents questions and they tell them the answers and they understand enough.. 'Government is bad, must go'. RIGHT ON !

[Spare]

Disperse? You must be kidding right.

This is the best education that the Thai student can ever have, on how to fight corruption in Thai society.

Much more than can be learn in any classes.

[slapout]

While cynical Falang expats love to wax philosophically and light fires about what the students learn in Thai public schools, there is a sense for many kids here that school provides a degree of normalcy for many students, in a politically (and "economically?") challenged state, particularly students too young to fully grasp the "well tempered" views of protesters, angry mobs and soldiers in the streets. Yes this is democracy in action. Yes, you can be critical of Thai curriculum all you want,(did anyone believe the tablet in every kitchen promises would happen and change things for the better?) but lets also be real about students lives beyond the realm of politics which there is more to life than arm chair hooligans who have nothing better to do than get drunk and sit on their <deleted> criticizing the place where they have chosen to spend their retirement dollars to exploit a cheaper lifestyle. Have you ever actually taught anything? Kids need consistency to learn and grow. Kids need to learn about the political process for certain, yet there is more to everyday life for kids than this, getting access to higher education (inside or outside the Kingdom) just like most spoiled foreigners have had. Thai public schools are far from perfect. You get what you don't pay for. So why don't you get off your butts and do something to help kids learn if you are content to be so critical in your new home?

Not being a expert on 'education' systems', I just use for comparision, what I have had to work with over the years, the product of the schooling in the government/private sector. Thailand has Temple, public, Thai private, International, military and a combination of these in various forms. The parents of the children pay for each one of these schools no matter their choice, out of pocket, yes even the temple schools.

I can truthfully say that I have never found any group of people who have been exposed to 8 or more years of school, so obstinate, unreceptive to outside knowledge and lacking as those products of the total Thai system. Yes there have been exceptions, but they may be comparable in number to the great master artists, or engineers of history. For your info, this is not my new home.

[tingtongteesood]

If the kids would out down their damn computer games for 10 mins and pay attention to what is going on then they may grow up the better for it. They will see first hand that for a good economy and well run country you need people who know how to do the job and have the country's interests at heart - the exact opposite of the current idiots. This is Thai history in the making and they have ringside seats. ANY THAI PARENTS here - take this opportunity to give your kids some real. education especially about morals and ethics and just maybe the country will benefit from it. I have friends who watch Blue Sky and make their 8 and 10 year old kids watch some with them and whilst they do not understand completely, they ask their parents questions and they tell them the answers and they understand enough.. 'Government is bad, must go'. RIGHT ON !

[SICHONSTEVE]

While cynical Falang expats love to wax philosophically and light fires about what the students learn in Thai public schools, there is a sense for many kids here that school provides a degree of normalcy for many students, in a politically (and "economically?") challenged state, particularly students too young to fully grasp the "well tempered" views of protesters, angry mobs and soldiers in the streets. Yes this is democracy in action. Yes, you can be critical of Thai curriculum all you want,(did anyone believe the tablet in every kitchen promises would happen and change things for the better?) but lets also be real about students lives beyond the realm of politics which there is more to life than arm chair hooligans who have nothing better to do than get drunk and sit on their <deleted> criticizing the place where they have chosen to spend their retirement dollars to exploit a cheaper lifestyle. Have you ever actually taught anything? Kids need consistency to learn and grow. Kids need to learn about the political process for certain, yet there is more to everyday life for kids than this, getting access to higher education (inside or outside the Kingdom) just like most spoiled foreigners have had. Thai public schools are far from perfect. You get what you don't pay for. So why don't you get off your butts and do something to help kids learn if you are content to be so critical in your new home?

That is EXACTLY what my wife and I have done. We have built and run a successful private kindergaten school to prepare them for later life.

What EXACTLY have YOU done along these lines now?

[hughmungus]

Actually (Retired in Khon Kean) students can and do fail here. It takes the process of notifying the school and parents before hand. Yes there is money involved for bums on seats like any business I am afraid. Let's not kid ourselves.

Gee, I wonder if video games are only a problem for Thai kids. I see plenty of Westerners glued to their screens in every bar and cafe in the Kingdom. Plenty of Kids from all over the world love violent video games, a convenient scape goat. Sorry that the modern culture has changed and left so many of the medicated retiree crowd behind.

Maybe some of you need to come out of retirement and mentor or do something besides wear a crack in that bar stool. Kids have a right to learn about more than just bloodshed in the streets. Who's political views should they be learning?? Yours, mine, the schools, their parents? Political Opinions are like....well you know.

[Local Drunk]

While cynical Falang expats love to wax philosophically and light fires about what the students learn in Thai public schools, there is a sense for many kids here that school provides a degree of normalcy for many students, in a politically (and "economically?") challenged state, particularly students too young to fully grasp the "well tempered" views of protesters, angry mobs and soldiers in the streets. Yes this is democracy in action. Yes, you can be critical of Thai curriculum all you want,(did anyone believe the tablet in every kitchen promises would happen and change things for the better?) but lets also be real about students lives beyond the realm of politics which there is more to life than arm chair hooligans who have nothing better to do than get drunk and sit on their <deleted> criticizing the place where they have chosen to spend their retirement dollars to exploit a cheaper lifestyle. Have you ever actually taught anything? Kids need consistency to learn and grow. Kids need to learn about the political process for certain, yet there is more to everyday life for kids than this, getting access to higher education (inside or outside the Kingdom) just like most spoiled foreigners have had. Thai public schools are far from perfect. You get what you don't pay for. So why don't you get off your butts and do something to help kids learn if you are content to be so critical in your new home?

Thank you for a very sensible post. Makes a nice change from the cynical, self-serving and negative posts on this topic. There are no doubt problems with the Thai education and I have seen them first hand. However, this is about the rights of children to go to and from school without fear of violence. Surely this should be a universal right.

What fear of violence are you talking bout? Students have more to fear from their peers than anything the protests could throw at them...

[hughmungus]

While cynical Falang expats love to wax philosophically and light fires about what the students learn in Thai public schools, there is a sense for many kids here that school provides a degree of normalcy for many students, in a politically (and "economically?") challenged state, particularly students too young to fully grasp the "well tempered" views of protesters, angry mobs and soldiers in the streets. Yes this is democracy in action. Yes, you can be critical of Thai curriculum all you want,(did anyone believe the tablet in every kitchen promises would happen and change things for the better?) but lets also be real about students lives beyond the realm of politics which there is more to life than arm chair hooligans who have nothing better to do than get drunk and sit on their <deleted> criticizing the place where they have chosen to spend their retirement dollars to exploit a cheaper lifestyle. Have you ever actually taught anything? Kids need consistency to learn and grow. Kids need to learn about the political process for certain, yet there is more to everyday life for kids than this, getting access to higher education (inside or outside the Kingdom) just like most spoiled foreigners have had. Thai public schools are far from perfect. You get what you don't pay for. So why don't you get off your butts and do something to help kids learn if you are content to be so critical in your new home?

That is EXACTLY what my wife and I have done. We have built and run a successful private kindergaten school to prepare them for later life.

What EXACTLY have YOU done along these lines now?

[hughmungus]

EXACTLY the same as YOU! EXACTLY!

[Nip]

Aren't thai schools already on perpetual holiday? this should be no concern of the Ministry of Education.

Ha Ha.... I think the fear might be that while they are out there protesting they might actually learn something.

[SICHONSTEVE]

EXACTLY the same as YOU! EXACTLY!

So you own a school do you?

If so, that's good!!

[Spare]

Aren't thai schools already on perpetual holiday? this should be no concern of the Ministry of Education.

Ha Ha.... I think the fear might be that while they are out there protesting they might actually learn something.

At least you don't have to worry about giving them pocket money.

All food and drinks are free.