Alumni apologises to Tan over band's behaviour

[Lite Beer]

Alumni apologises to Tan over band's behaviour
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Satriwitthaya 2 Alumni Association has released a statement apologising to Ichitan Group chairman Tan Passakornnatee, after he felt pressured into giving Satriwitthaya 2 School's marching band Bt3.1 million so it could compete in an overseas event.

The association said the money would be repaid.

A subsequent scandal erupted following the incident, with the band, Max Percussion Theatre, heavily criticised by sections of the public for petitioning Tan for the money by arriving at the Arena 10 sports ground and community hall last month and playing their instruments.

The association said the incident had damaged the school's reputation.

It also apologised to the public and all of the school's alumni, promising that something like this would never happen again.

The association said it would cooperate with the school and organisations at the school to pay back the money soon.

Previously, the association said it was school director Patcharapong Tri-tepha's responsibility to pay back money.

Areerat Wattanasin, chairwoman of the school’s board of directors, said the board's meeting scheduled for yesterday had been postponed and a new date had not been set.

She said that many board members were away for the Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival.

-- The Nation 2014-04-06

[Somtamnication]

The "face saving and sweeping festival" is just around the corner.

[NongKhaiKid]

As usual everyone, especially the school administration, will dodge responsibility as the acceptance of such is against Thainess.

The education really needs to shake this as it was disgraceful behaviour and may have set a dangerous precedent.

Will the school admit they knew what was to happen so why didn't they stop it or will they deny knowing anything and show how little they know about what's going on in their school ? I can't see how such a plan involving the school band could be kept so secret.

The only thing we can be sure of is the school administration will run for cover and any weak excuse will do.

[Tatsujin]

Yet another example of the massive about face change in attitude that has been seen here in the last 10 years and showed everyone it was OK to be greedy, arrogant, intimidating and abusive in the search for cash that isn't theirs.

[thesetat2013]

How do they expect to repay that when they could not get the money except by begging and pressuring someone?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

How do they expect to repay that when they could not get the money except by begging and pressuring someone?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

They'll possibly lean on somebody else to cough up for them.

[PaullyW]

Nation of beggars and responsibility avoiders

[quagmirefg]

The School's Alumni Association apparently looked into the matter and determined the "Fundraising" tactic was inappropriate and would arrange for the Loan to be Repaid

The students should not be held to blame. They are not adults.

The Fundraing tactic was organized and condoned by the School's Administration who is responsible for this Debacle.

The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different.

I find it very disheartening that so many TV posters feel the need to continue to Bash Good kids and students who are doing positive things in the name of anti-Thai personal feelings and opinions.

The Blame lies squarly on the School Administration who approved of, and organized this inappropriate fundraising activity, and the School's Alumni Association has appologised.

[Pib]

We got caught...we apologize (only because we got caught)...we'll pay everyone back (yea, right)...we'll lay low for a while...then quietly revert back to our old ways of doing business.

[bkkgooner]

A bunch of school kids turn up and play music at your place of business and you feel pressured into giving them 3.1 million baht? Jesus christ talk about having more money than sense how about politely telling them to piss off your property?

[Morch]

The School's Alumni Association apparently looked into the matter and determined the "Fundraising" tactic was inappropriate and would arrange for the Loan to be Repaid

The students should not be held to blame. They are not adults.

The Fundraing tactic was organized and condoned by the School's Administration who is responsible for this Debacle.

The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different.

I find it very disheartening that so many TV posters feel the need to continue to Bash Good kids and students who are doing positive things in the name of anti-Thai personal feelings and opinions.

The Blame lies squarly on the School Administration who approved of, and organized this inappropriate fundraising activity, and the School's Alumni Association has appologised.

"The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different"

Well, maybe the school ought to add "How not to beg 101" to the curriculum.

Not sure what's worse - saying they don't know any better or saying they know exactly what they're doing.

Of course a lot of the blame lies with the school and the parents, but we're not talking about toddlers here.

[MMarlow]

How do they expect to repay that when they could not get the money except by begging and pressuring someone?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The alumni said the money would be repaid, not the school or the band, presumably they have the resources to do that.

[MMarlow]

Nation of beggars and responsibility avoiders

Sometimes some Thais are accused of that also, it's not just you.

[MMarlow]

The School's Alumni Association apparently looked into the matter and determined the "Fundraising" tactic was inappropriate and would arrange for the Loan to be Repaid

The students should not be held to blame. They are not adults.

The Fundraing tactic was organized and condoned by the School's Administration who is responsible for this Debacle.

The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different.

I find it very disheartening that so many TV posters feel the need to continue to Bash Good kids and students who are doing positive things in the name of anti-Thai personal feelings and opinions.

The Blame lies squarly on the School Administration who approved of, and organized this inappropriate fundraising activity, and the School's Alumni Association has appologised.

Absolutely. You do have to take into account though that many of the bashers do not have an education up to the same standard as the children they like to keyboard-bully and denigrate.

[MMarlow]

We got caught...we apologize (only because we got caught)...we'll pay everyone back (yea, right)...we'll lay low for a while...then quietly revert back to our old ways of doing business.

Nice to see someone who admits being involved in the incident standing up and accepting responsibility for it and offering recompense. Surprised that that it was a TV member though. Good for you!

[MMarlow]

A bunch of school kids turn up and play music at your place of business and you feel pressured into giving them 3.1 million baht? Jesus christ talk about having more money than sense how about politely telling them to piss off your property?

Because he doesn't have the tact, social, and marketing skills that you have. That's why he'll never be as successful as you.

[MMarlow]

The School's Alumni Association apparently looked into the matter and determined the "Fundraising" tactic was inappropriate and would arrange for the Loan to be Repaid

The students should not be held to blame. They are not adults.

The Fundraing tactic was organized and condoned by the School's Administration who is responsible for this Debacle.

The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different.

I find it very disheartening that so many TV posters feel the need to continue to Bash Good kids and students who are doing positive things in the name of anti-Thai personal feelings and opinions.

The Blame lies squarly on the School Administration who approved of, and organized this inappropriate fundraising activity, and the School's Alumni Association has appologised.

"The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different"

Well, maybe the school ought to add "How not to beg 101" to the curriculum.

Not sure what's worse - saying they don't know any better or saying they know exactly what they're doing.

Of course a lot of the blame lies with the school and the parents, but we're not talking about toddlers here.

We are talking about children in a school enterprise being instructed on what they should be doing and most responsible school children, as these clearly are, will bow to the authority of their teachers.

[Morch]

The School's Alumni Association apparently looked into the matter and determined the "Fundraising" tactic was inappropriate and would arrange for the Loan to be Repaid

The students should not be held to blame. They are not adults.

The Fundraing tactic was organized and condoned by the School's Administration who is responsible for this Debacle.

The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different.

I find it very disheartening that so many TV posters feel the need to continue to Bash Good kids and students who are doing positive things in the name of anti-Thai personal feelings and opinions.

The Blame lies squarly on the School Administration who approved of, and organized this inappropriate fundraising activity, and the School's Alumni Association has appologised.

"The kids in the Band and their group "Max Percussion Theater" don't know any different"

Well, maybe the school ought to add "How not to beg 101" to the curriculum.

Not sure what's worse - saying they don't know any better or saying they know exactly what they're doing.

Of course a lot of the blame lies with the school and the parents, but we're not talking about toddlers here.

We are talking about children in a school enterprise being instructed on what they should be doing and most responsible school children, as these clearly are, will bow to the authority of their teachers.

Sort of what I was saying.

At some point one ought to learn not to be a drone.

[borisloosebrain]

Putting the class in classroom lol

[Torrens54]

Maybe I'm a bit "thick" or just "thick skinned" but can you explain, how anybody would feel "Intimidated" and/or "pressured" into coughing up that sort of money, simply because the School Band has "Jam Session" on your front door step?

Did they wave AK-47s and Rocket Launches at him or what?

Years ago in Australia, the Salvos used to do this sort of thing on a regular basis and then "pass a hat around" for donations.

Don't think anyone felt they had to tip-in that kind of money to get rid of them.

[brianP]

They took a page from Jesse Jackson's tactics against big companies. Donate this money, or i will cry discrimination!

[SoilSpoil]

They took a page from Jesse Jackson's tactics against big companies. Donate this money, or i will cry discrimination!

Rather racist remark of you!

[brianP]

They took a page from Jesse Jackson's tactics against big companies. Donate this money, or i will cry discrimination!

Rather racist remark of you!

Fact is fact, seems your the one playing the race card big time there.

[samran]

Maybe I'm a bit "thick" or just "thick skinned" but can you explain, how anybody would feel "Intimidated" and/or "pressured" into coughing up that sort of money, simply because the School Band has "Jam Session" on your front door step?

Did they wave AK-47s and Rocket Launches at him or what?

Years ago in Australia, the Salvos used to do this sort of thing on a regular basis and then "pass a hat around" for donations.

Don't think anyone felt they had to tip-in that kind of money to get rid of them.

Indeed, I fail to see where the problem is here especially given the subject in questions.

A school band lobs on the front doorstep to sell their wares. Canny businessman, Tan, who perhaps one of Thailand's biggest and shameless self promoters rewards them for their efforts. He does the same thing for a living. He gets it. Deal done.

Issue here is the school have been caught out, in the eyes of some, for having to play for their dinner, shattering the perceived facade of well to do ness off the parents and the school.

Added into the mix potentially is that Tan made some uncomplementary comments about PDRC protesters a few months ago, so I'm sure some of the staff needed the smelling salts after they heard where the dosh came from.

Winner from all this? Tan with the free publicity.

Edited April 7, 2014 by samran

[Morch]

Maybe I'm a bit "thick" or just "thick skinned" but can you explain, how anybody would feel "Intimidated" and/or "pressured" into coughing up that sort of money, simply because the School Band has "Jam Session" on your front door step?

Did they wave AK-47s and Rocket Launches at him or what?

Years ago in Australia, the Salvos used to do this sort of thing on a regular basis and then "pass a hat around" for donations.

Don't think anyone felt they had to tip-in that kind of money to get rid of them.

Indeed, I fail to see where the problem is here especially given the subject in questions.

A school band lobs on the front doorstep to sell their wares. Canny businessman, Tan, who perhaps one of Thailand's biggest and shameless self promoters rewards them for their efforts. He does the same thing for a living. He gets it. Deal done.

Issue here is the school have been caught out, in the eyes of some, for having to play for their dinner, shattering the perceived facade of well to do ness off the parents and the school.

Added into the mix potentially is that Tan made some uncomplementary comments about PDRC protesters a few months ago, so I'm sure some of the staff needed the smelling salts after they heard where the dosh came from.

Winner from all this? Tan with the free publicity.

On the other hand, Tan was busy making a living when he was these kids age, not begging for a Europe field trip.