We will not have any newspapers delivered from the next four days, people are going on vacation and traveling over New Years. We have some trips planned for the next few weeks. We will be going to Chiang Rai area with the people from Non-Formal education. We will meet with them on the 6th. Next Sunday we will visit 9 temples with Mona and Jit's old "gang" from the Manhattan hotel. We will be going to Ayuthaya. The next weekend we will be going to Sing Buri for the wedding. It will be very busy, besides starting to work with continuing education.
We went to Phra Pradaeng today, took the bus. When we were getting our glasses adjusted and buying film there was a kid's marching band, with uniforms and everything going by followed by people marching with signs against drugs. It stopped all the traffic, sort of surprising, I took a couple pictures for the record. We then took a blue truck-bus to Big C to get a DVD player for Jit's mom. She loves to listen to Likay. She has a large box of Likay DVD's and listens to them over and over. There was a Sony on sale but we were encouraged to get a different model that included Karaoke and was multi-region, We resisted the opportunity.
Big C was way too busy, people getting ready for the holiday. When we left there was a large line for the taxi so we walked out to the road, where there was another line. We were going to get on a truck-bus but then a taxi appeared. The driver said people were arguing in front of Big C about who would get a taxi, so he just left. The taxi driver was interesting. He loves reading and computer. He had a Windows XP book and uses his son's school's account to access the Internet. He said he can not afford to go to school. He supports his parent's and helps his sister go to school.
Tomorrow there will be a Tambon New Years celebration
12/31
We got up early, prepared food for a Pinto, a Pinto is a stacked metal food container, and walked over to the Tambon heads home, people gathered and shared food. We walked on the new path. I did not recognize the road, Ratrangson #16, but we pass it every day on the motorbike on the way back from the dock. It was just a different perspective then I am used to seeing. When we got there people put food from their Pintos onto dishes. There are tables, with roofs, for the food. There were nine bowls to put rice in for the Monks. Each person spooned the rice from the Pinto into each bowl. Left over rice went into a large pot for the rest of the community. People made a donation an got the new calendar with the King's picture on it. As in many cases her is carrying a Canon EOS camera, not an expensive one either. There is a museum that is supposed to have some of the King's photographs. I would like to see them. There are many pictures of him carrying cameras.
Jit made an appointment with the head of the Tambon, I am not sure what about, but it is her nature. I think they will meet after the 10th.
A person using a microphone talks on and on, most people seem to ignore him. I think it is community calendar information. People just sit, visit and wait. The Monks arrive in a silver van, there is long chanting, the food is moved over to the covered building where the Monks are chanting, they eat, then we eat. Dog's move around, very politely, waiting for food. The dogs are also very good at getting out of the way. When the monks have finished eating the Abbott walks around splashing the audience with water. They then leave to return to their Wat. I love red and green curry, and there was a lot of it to eat. Jit made yellow cake, from a mix, but people were not eating it, I do not think they are used to having cake.
The Tambon celebration combines the King, the Nation and Buddhism. Politics and religion are not separate, there is an seamless merging of the three strands of the modern Thai nation.
When I am at these celebrations I just observe, think, reflect, fantasize about many things, and take notes. It really is interesting.
There was a women sharing Red Bull, or one of its clones, with her son. I like Red Bull and use it when I am driving from Fairbanks to Anchorage and back, a six hour drive. It really does help alertness. In Thailand people work so hard and get up so early that I can see why energy drinks are popular.
Many older men, and Monks, have extensive tattoos on their bodies. Some peoples backs and arm are covered in symbols. It think it is related to fate and luck. The process must be pretty painful. At the gathering there was an old man, with a beard, who was riding an old shabby bike. He had many tattoos. Jit's dad also has tattoos all over his back.
Some people in the community participate in these events and many do not. I recognize many people from the Kathin ceremony and the funerals. It is like a large community pot luck. Since Monks can not eat after lunch, many events start early in the morning. The weather is also not too hot then. Sometimes there is a pause in the day from about 12 to 3.
There are so many paths and many very nice homes, and some not so nice, when we walked over to the gathering. Most of the houses in our area are large and are nice, but some are very shabby. The communities of Bangabua and Bangkrachow are really beautiful and natural. I think there is a lot of pressure to develop residential houses in the area. The price of property is rising. The new road will open up more area for building houses. There are no housing estates or developments, the houses are individually built. I hear the fire crackers that signify the beginning of a house often, once or twice a week.
There are other similar events for the next few days because of the new years celebration. Tonight at the big tree and tomorrow there is supposed to be something for 49 Monks at the Tambon leaders house!
Keenon went to Bopae Market yesterday, she had her purse stolen. Somebody used a razor to cut the strap and run off. She said she did not lose anything. Keenon is a 60 year old women. When people are desperate they forget their values and lose their self. It makes me remember to be aware.
There was another big tree for Mu 3 surrounded with multi-colored thin cloth. I think that this makes the tree sacred, people wai when they pass the tree, or at least that is what I saw. In our community, Mu 9, I do not see people wai when they pass the tree, but that could be because they live right next to the tree. Hmmm....
There is very loud music from the community tree. We are getting ready to go over to the New Years eve gathering, I hope there is not much drinking. Last weekend there was a fight, we heard about it in the morning. I am a definite morning person and like to go to sleep early at night.
We went for awhile, there was a stage set up and sort of a DJ playing music, Kid's were dancing in costumes, people brought food, it was like a pot luck, there was also a lot of whisky being shared and people were getting drunk. Alcohol is a big part of community life. From my Alaska experience alcohol, especially large groups of people drinking, means fighting and craziness in the end. Somebody was acting a little crazy, a person who works at building houses, he was being moved away. People were having fun, I was encouraged to dance, but I am really a shy person. Anyway the music really was way too loud, I mean it is where it can hurt your ears, really, so we went home. The music is everywhere, but it is OK at home. I like Thai country music, it is really celebration music. It has been over 20 years since I stopped drinking and alcohol has hurt so many people in my life, I just do not like being around drinking. I am finishing the blog and then will go to sleep.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Non-Formal Education Centers. It all came together today, I shared what I knew!
12/27
I prepared for my presentation to the Non-Formal Education Department on Thursday. I created a web site to organize my presentation and collected files to take. I want to leave all the relevant information and documents so that the people, at the presentation, will have all the tools to explore the idea I am sharing. I also did some in-depth exploration on Photoshop CS2's new features. I can not really use The Bridge and Photoshop at the same time, I do not have enough memory and my notebook slows way down. I explored the new Sharpening Tool and the Raw Converter.
12/28
Many people in Thailand are very honest, when we ride back from the dock on motorcycles we usually pay 20 Baht, most people pay 15 Baht, and even if we do not ask, people return the 5 Baht difference. One person did not have change, so we gave her 100 Baht, she is keeping track of it and she makes sure we do not pay until the 100 Baht is covered. These are small example. Another is when I got out of a taxi I dropped my pen, I picked up the pen, but could not find the cap, a person saw the cap, picked it up, and gave it to me. These are not exceptional experiences, they are common experiences of honesty and thoughtfulness. There are some exceptions, Taxi drivers keeping more then the normal amount of change, with out communicating about it, but that is rare.
At STOU today we attended another session of Dr. Leslie Richard's workshop on rethinking learning. It was similar to the previous session, and it was practical and useful. I will apply his idea of task based teaching when I create my new courses in Alaska. During lunch we went over to the STOU Continuing Education Department. They were having their year end party with wonderful food and Karaoke. I also got a clearer idea of what I will be doing. I will be helping one of the Continuing Education Staff people to create a database to track resource people. I will also be helping to create worksheets to track expenses and reporting to make sure that the STOU reports are accurate. Talking with Tuk, she mentioned that I might also get to develop a continuing education course, which could be fun. It sounds like I will be busy.
On the way back to the seminar we stopped by the Counseling section to visit with Nednapa and the other people we know at the Counseling Center. Giving gifts for New Years is a polite thing to do, and Jit has been giving people medallions of the King. There are many people at STOU that I enjoy meeting with and visiting.
We had a wonderful meal at Juke and Star's. The family was gathered around a charcoal heated meat cooker, people were cooking individual pieces of pork, there was fruit and vegetables and a very good soup. Just sitting on the floor, cooking, laughing, sharing food, kidding each other, it was a special time. Family time in Thailand, the families that I have shared with, is special and for me some of the deepest experiences that I have had. I can not say that my family experiences in the United States are as much fun.
12/29
One of my goals in coming to Thailand was to share the curriculum and competencies that we have developed for the Information Support Specialist Associate of Applied Science Degree. I have spent the last 14 years developing and teaching practical computer skills courses. The Non-Formal Education Department is the educational institution that provides practical training to the people of Thailand. Today I got to present our curriculum to the Non-Formal Education Department. The meeting lasted for three hours and ended with a wonderful lunch. I felt a rapport with the people, we shared a common vision and set of experiences in working with adults. We have been invited to go and visit different Non-Formal Education Centers and to provide support and advise. The link to the resources that I provided in my presentation is here www.cysewski.com/sabbatical/ITSComp/ . The questions were deep, subtle and relevant, I am elated. Jit translated and she did a very good job. There was laughter, and we shared struggles, dilemmas, and analogies. I felt that I was with people who shared a common vision of teaching adults. I left all the relevant materials so people could copy, adapt, modify, or ignore what I provided. My major goal, what I came to Thailand to share, has been accomplished. The door is open to collaborate and work together. I have had many good experiences in Thailand, and have been able to share many skills and ideas, but I have now found the place where I fit, where my skills match. I am excited.
In the afternoon we went by Pantip Plaza, I bought a USB key and an extra battery for my digital camera, we explored some and then went home.
Tomorrow we will stay around the house and I can reflect upon and digest some of my recent experiences.
It was a very good week!
I prepared for my presentation to the Non-Formal Education Department on Thursday. I created a web site to organize my presentation and collected files to take. I want to leave all the relevant information and documents so that the people, at the presentation, will have all the tools to explore the idea I am sharing. I also did some in-depth exploration on Photoshop CS2's new features. I can not really use The Bridge and Photoshop at the same time, I do not have enough memory and my notebook slows way down. I explored the new Sharpening Tool and the Raw Converter.
12/28
Many people in Thailand are very honest, when we ride back from the dock on motorcycles we usually pay 20 Baht, most people pay 15 Baht, and even if we do not ask, people return the 5 Baht difference. One person did not have change, so we gave her 100 Baht, she is keeping track of it and she makes sure we do not pay until the 100 Baht is covered. These are small example. Another is when I got out of a taxi I dropped my pen, I picked up the pen, but could not find the cap, a person saw the cap, picked it up, and gave it to me. These are not exceptional experiences, they are common experiences of honesty and thoughtfulness. There are some exceptions, Taxi drivers keeping more then the normal amount of change, with out communicating about it, but that is rare.
At STOU today we attended another session of Dr. Leslie Richard's workshop on rethinking learning. It was similar to the previous session, and it was practical and useful. I will apply his idea of task based teaching when I create my new courses in Alaska. During lunch we went over to the STOU Continuing Education Department. They were having their year end party with wonderful food and Karaoke. I also got a clearer idea of what I will be doing. I will be helping one of the Continuing Education Staff people to create a database to track resource people. I will also be helping to create worksheets to track expenses and reporting to make sure that the STOU reports are accurate. Talking with Tuk, she mentioned that I might also get to develop a continuing education course, which could be fun. It sounds like I will be busy.
On the way back to the seminar we stopped by the Counseling section to visit with Nednapa and the other people we know at the Counseling Center. Giving gifts for New Years is a polite thing to do, and Jit has been giving people medallions of the King. There are many people at STOU that I enjoy meeting with and visiting.
We had a wonderful meal at Juke and Star's. The family was gathered around a charcoal heated meat cooker, people were cooking individual pieces of pork, there was fruit and vegetables and a very good soup. Just sitting on the floor, cooking, laughing, sharing food, kidding each other, it was a special time. Family time in Thailand, the families that I have shared with, is special and for me some of the deepest experiences that I have had. I can not say that my family experiences in the United States are as much fun.
12/29
One of my goals in coming to Thailand was to share the curriculum and competencies that we have developed for the Information Support Specialist Associate of Applied Science Degree. I have spent the last 14 years developing and teaching practical computer skills courses. The Non-Formal Education Department is the educational institution that provides practical training to the people of Thailand. Today I got to present our curriculum to the Non-Formal Education Department. The meeting lasted for three hours and ended with a wonderful lunch. I felt a rapport with the people, we shared a common vision and set of experiences in working with adults. We have been invited to go and visit different Non-Formal Education Centers and to provide support and advise. The link to the resources that I provided in my presentation is here www.cysewski.com/sabbatical/ITSComp/ . The questions were deep, subtle and relevant, I am elated. Jit translated and she did a very good job. There was laughter, and we shared struggles, dilemmas, and analogies. I felt that I was with people who shared a common vision of teaching adults. I left all the relevant materials so people could copy, adapt, modify, or ignore what I provided. My major goal, what I came to Thailand to share, has been accomplished. The door is open to collaborate and work together. I have had many good experiences in Thailand, and have been able to share many skills and ideas, but I have now found the place where I fit, where my skills match. I am excited.
In the afternoon we went by Pantip Plaza, I bought a USB key and an extra battery for my digital camera, we explored some and then went home.
Tomorrow we will stay around the house and I can reflect upon and digest some of my recent experiences.
It was a very good week!
Monday, December 26, 2005
At the Sri Nakhon Khuankun Park
At the Feel Green Feel Prapadaeng celebration at the Sri Nakhon Khuankun Park
Muang Thong Thani from STOU
A very small portion of Muang Thong Thani from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. None of the towers in this picture are finished.
An odd building for the "Supreme Commander"!
During the King's birthday I was in a large crowd, we were listening to politicians and holding lighted candles. I noticed, with surprise, that I was not short. I am 5 feet 4 inches and in the United States I am the shortest. In crowds I look between people. It was sort of a disorienting revelation to realize that I was not short, I could look over some people. I had never experienced being not short.
When we were going to the Royal School in Hua Hin we turned off one road too soon. There was a gate and a watch house, which is usual, but what was sort of intimidating was a soldier with a very real machine gun. I guess we were trying to enter the King's palace. I am not used to seeing live, real guns that could shoot me. I must say I did not like the experience.
When we got to STOU today, we ran over to the Continuing Education Department to meet the people, I stumbled into the bi-weekly staff meeting. We were introduced and talked for a little while, but we had to leave for our lunch meeting. I am not sure what the expect of me yet, I will have an office and I have heard rumors of developing a database. I will spend time trying to match their expectations with my ability, a good idea:).
The time we have left in Thailand is filling up! Jit and I went through the calendar of commitments. I still want to do a little traveling and exploring that is not sabbatical related, but we shall see.
At STOU we went to a department lunch with the E-Learning people. We drove through the popular condominiums at Muang Thong Thani. Some were undeveloped and others looked packed. The buildings look like they would be brutal blocks to live in, but inside there is an open square. The closest experience, in the United States, to what I saw, would be those huge public housing projects in Chicago. These condominiums though are middle class housing. I was told that many government workers live there.
The ambition of the Muang Thong Thani development and the conjunction between very busy and empty is sort of spooky. There is a lot to explore in the area, from the abandoned towers to the popular condominiums. The fact that the development is so close to the Impact Center seems to mean that there is potential for the area, but it is still a very odd place, large incompletely realized ambition.
After lunch we had a meeting to explore providing educational tours to Thailand, sponsored by STOU, for students or adults from Alaska to. I referred the people to Elderhostel as a possible means to the end of providing tours. There is an excellent potential to bring students to Thailand under university sponsorship, maybe offering a Summer School course in conjunction with the tour. Until I get back to Alaska and talk with the International Relations office I will not be able to ground any of our ideas in reality, but it is a project I would like to help implement.
As we were leaving the Muang Thong Thani place I saw a very strange building. I had seen it before from the airplane and also from the expressway. Nobody who I asked knows what it is. At the restaurant, which is right across from the building we were told that it was for the "Supreme Commander". The building is in the middle of a military complex, but it is not hidden. The center of the project looks like a large American football standing on end, or a fat rocket ship. There are buildings with odd structures on the top, sort of sculptural, maybe for air conditioning. If I would guess, without any knowledge, I would have thought that the building was a futuristic university or an amusement park. In any case, until I get better information, it is the building for the "Supreme Commander". Anybody can see the building, it is near Muang Thong Thani, and I saw it when we were driving to Nakhon Nayok. If anybody has more information I am sure curious. It is on my list of Google Earth searches when I get bandwidth.
When we were going to the Royal School in Hua Hin we turned off one road too soon. There was a gate and a watch house, which is usual, but what was sort of intimidating was a soldier with a very real machine gun. I guess we were trying to enter the King's palace. I am not used to seeing live, real guns that could shoot me. I must say I did not like the experience.
When we got to STOU today, we ran over to the Continuing Education Department to meet the people, I stumbled into the bi-weekly staff meeting. We were introduced and talked for a little while, but we had to leave for our lunch meeting. I am not sure what the expect of me yet, I will have an office and I have heard rumors of developing a database. I will spend time trying to match their expectations with my ability, a good idea:).
The time we have left in Thailand is filling up! Jit and I went through the calendar of commitments. I still want to do a little traveling and exploring that is not sabbatical related, but we shall see.
At STOU we went to a department lunch with the E-Learning people. We drove through the popular condominiums at Muang Thong Thani. Some were undeveloped and others looked packed. The buildings look like they would be brutal blocks to live in, but inside there is an open square. The closest experience, in the United States, to what I saw, would be those huge public housing projects in Chicago. These condominiums though are middle class housing. I was told that many government workers live there.
The ambition of the Muang Thong Thani development and the conjunction between very busy and empty is sort of spooky. There is a lot to explore in the area, from the abandoned towers to the popular condominiums. The fact that the development is so close to the Impact Center seems to mean that there is potential for the area, but it is still a very odd place, large incompletely realized ambition.
After lunch we had a meeting to explore providing educational tours to Thailand, sponsored by STOU, for students or adults from Alaska to. I referred the people to Elderhostel as a possible means to the end of providing tours. There is an excellent potential to bring students to Thailand under university sponsorship, maybe offering a Summer School course in conjunction with the tour. Until I get back to Alaska and talk with the International Relations office I will not be able to ground any of our ideas in reality, but it is a project I would like to help implement.
As we were leaving the Muang Thong Thani place I saw a very strange building. I had seen it before from the airplane and also from the expressway. Nobody who I asked knows what it is. At the restaurant, which is right across from the building we were told that it was for the "Supreme Commander". The building is in the middle of a military complex, but it is not hidden. The center of the project looks like a large American football standing on end, or a fat rocket ship. There are buildings with odd structures on the top, sort of sculptural, maybe for air conditioning. If I would guess, without any knowledge, I would have thought that the building was a futuristic university or an amusement park. In any case, until I get better information, it is the building for the "Supreme Commander". Anybody can see the building, it is near Muang Thong Thani, and I saw it when we were driving to Nakhon Nayok. If anybody has more information I am sure curious. It is on my list of Google Earth searches when I get bandwidth.
adn.com | life : Ned Rozell: Physics of life at 40 below
adn.com | life : Ned Rozell: Physics of life at 40 below
An accurate description of my life back home when it is very cold. The only difference is that we do not have wood heat, just heating oil. I know people are curious about how people live and this article describes part of the experience when it gets "really" cold. We usually have 7 to 10 days a year of extreme cold a year. Minus 20 is fine, but -40 and below gets a little tense.
An accurate description of my life back home when it is very cold. The only difference is that we do not have wood heat, just heating oil. I know people are curious about how people live and this article describes part of the experience when it gets "really" cold. We usually have 7 to 10 days a year of extreme cold a year. Minus 20 is fine, but -40 and below gets a little tense.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Every morning people gather for exercises.
The morning exercise people came to the Feel Green Feel Phra Pradaeng celebration. Watching the morning exercising and jogging in the park is an inspiration.
Exploring Bang Krachow on bikes with Nick, Nuck, and Ton
We explored Bang Krachow with Nick, Nuck, and Ton. Jit rode with Oye on the motor bike. We were mapping a trail for a Kid's day tour. It is amazing how many different paths there are in the area. We rode elevated concrete paths with sharp turns so I had to be careful.
Feel Green Feel Pra Pradaeng and a Spider Tattoo!
There was a large celebration in the park today, they have been preparing for it for weeks. It is the final, I think, Feel Green Feel Phra Pradaeng event. Even though some of my comments are grouchy, the event was pretty cool. I just do not like kids beauty pageants and politicians reading proclamations.
There were kayak races this morning in the park, men, kids, and women raced, Keenon won the women's boat race.
There was a children beauty pageant again, just like STOU. The kids had way too much make up, and too me looked uncomfortable. When people have so much makeup they look like dolls and not people. The girls were very young.
When people finished with their performance there was steam and confetti that erupted from the stage. Some of the music was from the Olympics or Star Wars, the speakers were way too loud and the announcer was perpetually yelling. The pageant just kept going on and on, way too long, and pretty boring. To me, the girls looked nervous and stressed.
I noticed a young women in the crowd, an older sibling, or young mother, maybe 20 or 25, with two kids, maybe 7 or 8. She was dressed normally, enjoying the events, especially the beauty pageant, just a normal women enjoying the celebration, but she had a spider tattoo under her right ear! The tattoo was very disorienting and did not fit her identity at all. Dissonance, something that does not fit, like the spider tattoo, sticks with me for a long time. I think I will always remember her.
After the pageant, politicians read proclamations, there were at least two long documents that were read to the audience. It was not very exciting! The politicians were sitting, like a reviewing stand, looking at the ceremonies and events.
There were some cultural performances, there was a Mon ceremony in which young women and men went through some indecipherable rituals with disks, I think it was some kind of courting ceremony. There were costumes and it lasted a long time. There was Mon music also that was being played. I think, in Phra Pradaeng, there is a group of people working to preserve the Mon culture. Again, for me, there are echoes of Alaska.
After the Mon ceremony there was a ceremony with sticks and dancing, people stepping between the moving sticks. It was interesting and again like many of the cultural celebrations that I have enjoyed in Alaska
After the stick ceremony there was a dance, to recorded music, by some young girls, it was not too coordinated, but again it was clearly trying to teach young people cultural traditions.
After all the ceremonies there was a very long set of drawings for prizes, bikes, and kayaks. The politicians gathered around and drew names from a box. One of the people in the community won a bicycle.
I took many photographs with my Voigtlander Bessa so I will not have the photographs for awhile. Celebrations are a great place to take pictures of people, some of them were not exactly flattering, but I hope they are real. We shall see.
It was a good Christmas day, better then sitting around waiting to eat, and then feeling stuffed and bored. Since my kids are grown, Christmas is not too special anymore. When my kids were young it was fun.
There were kayak races this morning in the park, men, kids, and women raced, Keenon won the women's boat race.
There was a children beauty pageant again, just like STOU. The kids had way too much make up, and too me looked uncomfortable. When people have so much makeup they look like dolls and not people. The girls were very young.
When people finished with their performance there was steam and confetti that erupted from the stage. Some of the music was from the Olympics or Star Wars, the speakers were way too loud and the announcer was perpetually yelling. The pageant just kept going on and on, way too long, and pretty boring. To me, the girls looked nervous and stressed.
I noticed a young women in the crowd, an older sibling, or young mother, maybe 20 or 25, with two kids, maybe 7 or 8. She was dressed normally, enjoying the events, especially the beauty pageant, just a normal women enjoying the celebration, but she had a spider tattoo under her right ear! The tattoo was very disorienting and did not fit her identity at all. Dissonance, something that does not fit, like the spider tattoo, sticks with me for a long time. I think I will always remember her.
After the pageant, politicians read proclamations, there were at least two long documents that were read to the audience. It was not very exciting! The politicians were sitting, like a reviewing stand, looking at the ceremonies and events.
There were some cultural performances, there was a Mon ceremony in which young women and men went through some indecipherable rituals with disks, I think it was some kind of courting ceremony. There were costumes and it lasted a long time. There was Mon music also that was being played. I think, in Phra Pradaeng, there is a group of people working to preserve the Mon culture. Again, for me, there are echoes of Alaska.
After the Mon ceremony there was a ceremony with sticks and dancing, people stepping between the moving sticks. It was interesting and again like many of the cultural celebrations that I have enjoyed in Alaska
After the stick ceremony there was a dance, to recorded music, by some young girls, it was not too coordinated, but again it was clearly trying to teach young people cultural traditions.
After all the ceremonies there was a very long set of drawings for prizes, bikes, and kayaks. The politicians gathered around and drew names from a box. One of the people in the community won a bicycle.
I took many photographs with my Voigtlander Bessa so I will not have the photographs for awhile. Celebrations are a great place to take pictures of people, some of them were not exactly flattering, but I hope they are real. We shall see.
It was a good Christmas day, better then sitting around waiting to eat, and then feeling stuffed and bored. Since my kids are grown, Christmas is not too special anymore. When my kids were young it was fun.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Thieves Market, Giant Swing, Mae Hong Son, and Biking on the back roads
12/23
Today we rode the bus in to Phra Pradaeng and then took the Green bus to near the Grand Palace. I wanted to explore the Thieves Market area and also see some photo stores that I had read about. On the way there was a large fire, I could see a lot of dense black smoke, but no details. Riding the Green buses is an adventure, they are fast, full, and sort of erratic. Jit wanted us to get off, so we just jumped off the bus, but after Jit jumped off it started moving so I had to jump from a moving bus, foolish, but I succeeded. I had to decide quickly what to do. I was a little irritated with Jit for not thinking before she acted, but oh well.
Near the Giant Swing there is an area of stores that sell Buddha statues and temple art. I want to go back there for sure and wander and take photographs. There are whole stores full of large Buddha statues. I think people purchase them for their temples.
After we got off the bus, barely, we took a taxi over to the Thieves Market area. On Charon Krung there are some pretty good small photo stores, we looked around and I got an excellent camera bag, a Domke clone, but a different size then any Domke that I have seen before. As always it is fun to explore Thailand markets, especially the long established ones in Bangkok.
Before we leave I want to spend more time walking and taking photographs. I find my impressions change with familiarity, less a sense of wonder and more a sense of respect for the energy and history of an area. People in Thailand work hard for a living with intense competition and in exhausting conditions. Imagine working and living in the same area for generations. Every day getting up and dealing with the intensity of the day.
On the way back to our home we passed the Hua Lamphong railroad station. I have gone past it many times, but want to go inside and maybe take a short train ride. I think that in two or three weeks I want to focus on exploring Thailand and doing photography. I think I want to cut back on my STOU activities before we return to Alaska. I am definitely starting to think about Alaska more as we get nearer to leaving.
As we were returning I saw a wedding shop named "Beautiful Mary Women". There was a front window with impressive traditional, in the United States sense,
As we were walking to the Kong Toey dock a motorbike deliberately ran over one of the elephant skin dogs, the dog ran off whining and limping, it made me feel sad. I have been seeing dogs with coats on, I thought it was because of the cold, but it is really a way to put medication on the dogs skin to help their mange and itching. The black dog in our community has a coat on now, I hope it helps him.
The new road to our community has gone past Jit's house, everything is torn up and open, no more shade. I guess it will be OK in the end, but some of the charm and beauty of the place has been lost, at least for awhile.
I the evening Jit's mom and dad went over by the community tree, people were gathered around eating, playing table tennis, it is a good feeling. Jit's parents have moved into the new house, it is good for them to have moved, especially with the construction on the road.
It is Juke's birthday today, he has some friends over, they will party. I sure wished people did not drink as much.
We turned on the hot water for the first time today, it is hard to imagine when it was so warm the cold water was a cooling relief. I think humans, or at least this human, has a short memory for physical discomfort. Whether it is hot or cold that is what I experience, I do not remember the other experiences, except in abstraction.
Tomorrow we go to OTOP City again with Nuk and Nick.
12/24
We went to OTOP City again with Nick and Nuck, we purchased some things to take to Alaska, saw many new things, there are three halls stuffed with booths, on the back wall of one of the halls people were selling ad hoc products at discount, sort of bringing them to the back wall and setting up on the floor. The textile products from Mae Hong Son were beautiful, the textiles have multi-colored geometric designs and are functional. We bought some for selling in Alaska, or maybe just gifts. Nick and Nuck were involved, I think Jit is preparing them to be business partners.
Children's day is coming to the community and Jit is working to arrange some kind of bike tour for the young people. There are bikes to rent on the weekend in the park. Nick, Nuck, Ton and I went exploring on bikes with Jit and Ohy on the motorbike. We took the concrete trails to the Bang Nam Phueng Wat and floating market area. Riding the trails and back roads is interesting, there are many communities, stores, nice houses, farms, and the quality of life seems great. Going around the corners I slow down, because the concrete path is about 6 feet off the ground.
After we went to the floating market area we rode to this strange place with a large gate, looking inside there are some pretty impressive buildings, it is all abandoned, the gate is locked. I man with a large curly mustache opened the gate and went inside, he had a key. He said he was gong fishing. From what I can piece together they were building something for the Kings, but he told them to stop it. There was also mention of corruption. I assume it all happened 8 or 9 years ago. I wished I had the bandwidth for Google Earth, I would go exploring.
We then rode the long way back on the roads, it was fun, the traffic was not too bad, and it was cool for Thailand. I want to go exploring more places. I need a guide though, there are so many paths and trail branches I would not have a clue where I was going. A really fun day. I like exploring.
Today we rode the bus in to Phra Pradaeng and then took the Green bus to near the Grand Palace. I wanted to explore the Thieves Market area and also see some photo stores that I had read about. On the way there was a large fire, I could see a lot of dense black smoke, but no details. Riding the Green buses is an adventure, they are fast, full, and sort of erratic. Jit wanted us to get off, so we just jumped off the bus, but after Jit jumped off it started moving so I had to jump from a moving bus, foolish, but I succeeded. I had to decide quickly what to do. I was a little irritated with Jit for not thinking before she acted, but oh well.
Near the Giant Swing there is an area of stores that sell Buddha statues and temple art. I want to go back there for sure and wander and take photographs. There are whole stores full of large Buddha statues. I think people purchase them for their temples.
After we got off the bus, barely, we took a taxi over to the Thieves Market area. On Charon Krung there are some pretty good small photo stores, we looked around and I got an excellent camera bag, a Domke clone, but a different size then any Domke that I have seen before. As always it is fun to explore Thailand markets, especially the long established ones in Bangkok.
Before we leave I want to spend more time walking and taking photographs. I find my impressions change with familiarity, less a sense of wonder and more a sense of respect for the energy and history of an area. People in Thailand work hard for a living with intense competition and in exhausting conditions. Imagine working and living in the same area for generations. Every day getting up and dealing with the intensity of the day.
On the way back to our home we passed the Hua Lamphong railroad station. I have gone past it many times, but want to go inside and maybe take a short train ride. I think that in two or three weeks I want to focus on exploring Thailand and doing photography. I think I want to cut back on my STOU activities before we return to Alaska. I am definitely starting to think about Alaska more as we get nearer to leaving.
As we were returning I saw a wedding shop named "Beautiful Mary Women". There was a front window with impressive traditional, in the United States sense,
As we were walking to the Kong Toey dock a motorbike deliberately ran over one of the elephant skin dogs, the dog ran off whining and limping, it made me feel sad. I have been seeing dogs with coats on, I thought it was because of the cold, but it is really a way to put medication on the dogs skin to help their mange and itching. The black dog in our community has a coat on now, I hope it helps him.
The new road to our community has gone past Jit's house, everything is torn up and open, no more shade. I guess it will be OK in the end, but some of the charm and beauty of the place has been lost, at least for awhile.
I the evening Jit's mom and dad went over by the community tree, people were gathered around eating, playing table tennis, it is a good feeling. Jit's parents have moved into the new house, it is good for them to have moved, especially with the construction on the road.
It is Juke's birthday today, he has some friends over, they will party. I sure wished people did not drink as much.
We turned on the hot water for the first time today, it is hard to imagine when it was so warm the cold water was a cooling relief. I think humans, or at least this human, has a short memory for physical discomfort. Whether it is hot or cold that is what I experience, I do not remember the other experiences, except in abstraction.
Tomorrow we go to OTOP City again with Nuk and Nick.
12/24
We went to OTOP City again with Nick and Nuck, we purchased some things to take to Alaska, saw many new things, there are three halls stuffed with booths, on the back wall of one of the halls people were selling ad hoc products at discount, sort of bringing them to the back wall and setting up on the floor. The textile products from Mae Hong Son were beautiful, the textiles have multi-colored geometric designs and are functional. We bought some for selling in Alaska, or maybe just gifts. Nick and Nuck were involved, I think Jit is preparing them to be business partners.
Children's day is coming to the community and Jit is working to arrange some kind of bike tour for the young people. There are bikes to rent on the weekend in the park. Nick, Nuck, Ton and I went exploring on bikes with Jit and Ohy on the motorbike. We took the concrete trails to the Bang Nam Phueng Wat and floating market area. Riding the trails and back roads is interesting, there are many communities, stores, nice houses, farms, and the quality of life seems great. Going around the corners I slow down, because the concrete path is about 6 feet off the ground.
After we went to the floating market area we rode to this strange place with a large gate, looking inside there are some pretty impressive buildings, it is all abandoned, the gate is locked. I man with a large curly mustache opened the gate and went inside, he had a key. He said he was gong fishing. From what I can piece together they were building something for the Kings, but he told them to stop it. There was also mention of corruption. I assume it all happened 8 or 9 years ago. I wished I had the bandwidth for Google Earth, I would go exploring.
We then rode the long way back on the roads, it was fun, the traffic was not too bad, and it was cool for Thailand. I want to go exploring more places. I need a guide though, there are so many paths and trail branches I would not have a clue where I was going. A really fun day. I like exploring.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Thai Isuzu Trucks
Some of these trucks have ornate tin decorations and colorful paint jobs. The older ones, like these, do not have doors. I will try to take more pictures of these trucks. They show personality.
STOU, Alaska Exchange Program, and OTOP City
It is cool and grey today, sort of like a cloudy summer day in Alaska. People are wearing jackets, huddling up, and shivering.
We went to STOU today. Nothing much happening. We talked with International Relations. I looked at their web site and talked with the person who is creating and maintaining the web site. He is doing a good job and is motivated and knowledgeable. He showed me an excellent web site for web development. Check out www.webhang.co.uk .
We also talked about having an exchange program with Alaska. Maybe creating a summer school course for students to go to Thailand. We also would like to set up a reciprocal arrangement for Thai people to come to Alaska. When I return to Alaska I can start to sound out people about the possibilities.
Next Monday afternoon I will meet with the International Relations office to discuss the idea of an exchange program in more detail. Anne will also arrange a meeting with the Office of Continuing Education for my remaining assignment at STOU.
We got a call from the Non-Formal Education Office to confirm our meeting on December 29th. I have emailed Keith, my partner in Fairbanks, for current degree information and competencies. I am not sure how this new opportunity to share knowledge will evolve, but I am glad to be able to share our knowledge and resources.
After our time at STOU we went to OTOP City at the Impact Center. What a place, two huge halls filled with booths of OTOP products arranged by location. Each booth indicated the location of the items on sale. There were many items of high quality and excellent design. There were also generic and predictable items for sale that did not seem to really relate to the OTOP idea. If I ran a gift shop in the United States I would schedule a yearly trip to OTOP City to buy goods for my shop. I especially was attracted to the items from southern Thailand. To see everything in both halls would take two to three days, there were some repeating and similar items, but there were also items of real quality.
The OTOP idea would work in Alaska, in fact the old cooperative movement and ANICA were similar in intention.
As we came in to the hall there was a group of people playing temple music, music like we heard at the Kathin ceremony, drums, bells, saxophone, dancing, great music, I mean really great, I love it. I wanted to dance. The music is like band music and jazz all mixed together. It is music to celebrate with. Anyway the band was playing in front of the hall. Amazing music. I would love to get a CD of it.
I saw cloth being dyed and batik being made. There were different kinds of Thai music being played. There was a group of blind musicians playing classical Thai music. The Batik was interesting. They used a brass tool, with a cup of melted wax, to make the patterns on the cloth. Another person then painted in the colors. The design was beautiful and organic. I loved it.
Some of the items I saw were textiles, clothes of many types, lamps, wood sculpture, different kinds of hand made paper, too many kinds of imitation flowers (they were beautiful but there were too many booths with similar items) woven baskets, many kinds of food, fresh and packaged, wall hangings, there were different kinds of coffee, grass weaving, cowboy hats, embossed paper with gold inlay, porcelain, cosmetics, oils, herbs, juice, soap and shampoo, knives, fish, wine, sausages, cowgirls, and a man in a Confederate Army Hat! And this is just a small part of the variety and depth of the items on sale.
In one hall there were many policemen and soldiers in uniform. The policemen had uniforms on and somewhat redundantly had badges that said POLICE.
There was a booth called Net and Tent Paradise that sold a sort of mosquito net tent.
My understanding is that there is no fee for the booths, it is a major event. Sort of like a Christmas bazaar that it beyond imagination.
In Thailand people eat with sticks, sort of like tall large tooth picks. If you get fruit it will come in a plastic bag with a stick so you can spear the fruit and eat it. Meat and even bread is served with the sticks. I have not seen a similar thing in the United States, but it is a good idea.
We bought some different fabrics and wall hangings. We also got a reed mat and pillow. I think we can haul all the stuff home to Alaska. Our plan is to go again this Saturday with Nuck and Nick. If we go in the morning we should be able to explore before it gets too crowded.
Tomorrow we might go into Bangkok to look around.
We went to STOU today. Nothing much happening. We talked with International Relations. I looked at their web site and talked with the person who is creating and maintaining the web site. He is doing a good job and is motivated and knowledgeable. He showed me an excellent web site for web development. Check out www.webhang.co.uk .
We also talked about having an exchange program with Alaska. Maybe creating a summer school course for students to go to Thailand. We also would like to set up a reciprocal arrangement for Thai people to come to Alaska. When I return to Alaska I can start to sound out people about the possibilities.
Next Monday afternoon I will meet with the International Relations office to discuss the idea of an exchange program in more detail. Anne will also arrange a meeting with the Office of Continuing Education for my remaining assignment at STOU.
We got a call from the Non-Formal Education Office to confirm our meeting on December 29th. I have emailed Keith, my partner in Fairbanks, for current degree information and competencies. I am not sure how this new opportunity to share knowledge will evolve, but I am glad to be able to share our knowledge and resources.
After our time at STOU we went to OTOP City at the Impact Center. What a place, two huge halls filled with booths of OTOP products arranged by location. Each booth indicated the location of the items on sale. There were many items of high quality and excellent design. There were also generic and predictable items for sale that did not seem to really relate to the OTOP idea. If I ran a gift shop in the United States I would schedule a yearly trip to OTOP City to buy goods for my shop. I especially was attracted to the items from southern Thailand. To see everything in both halls would take two to three days, there were some repeating and similar items, but there were also items of real quality.
The OTOP idea would work in Alaska, in fact the old cooperative movement and ANICA were similar in intention.
As we came in to the hall there was a group of people playing temple music, music like we heard at the Kathin ceremony, drums, bells, saxophone, dancing, great music, I mean really great, I love it. I wanted to dance. The music is like band music and jazz all mixed together. It is music to celebrate with. Anyway the band was playing in front of the hall. Amazing music. I would love to get a CD of it.
I saw cloth being dyed and batik being made. There were different kinds of Thai music being played. There was a group of blind musicians playing classical Thai music. The Batik was interesting. They used a brass tool, with a cup of melted wax, to make the patterns on the cloth. Another person then painted in the colors. The design was beautiful and organic. I loved it.
Some of the items I saw were textiles, clothes of many types, lamps, wood sculpture, different kinds of hand made paper, too many kinds of imitation flowers (they were beautiful but there were too many booths with similar items) woven baskets, many kinds of food, fresh and packaged, wall hangings, there were different kinds of coffee, grass weaving, cowboy hats, embossed paper with gold inlay, porcelain, cosmetics, oils, herbs, juice, soap and shampoo, knives, fish, wine, sausages, cowgirls, and a man in a Confederate Army Hat! And this is just a small part of the variety and depth of the items on sale.
In one hall there were many policemen and soldiers in uniform. The policemen had uniforms on and somewhat redundantly had badges that said POLICE.
There was a booth called Net and Tent Paradise that sold a sort of mosquito net tent.
My understanding is that there is no fee for the booths, it is a major event. Sort of like a Christmas bazaar that it beyond imagination.
In Thailand people eat with sticks, sort of like tall large tooth picks. If you get fruit it will come in a plastic bag with a stick so you can spear the fruit and eat it. Meat and even bread is served with the sticks. I have not seen a similar thing in the United States, but it is a good idea.
We bought some different fabrics and wall hangings. We also got a reed mat and pillow. I think we can haul all the stuff home to Alaska. Our plan is to go again this Saturday with Nuck and Nick. If we go in the morning we should be able to explore before it gets too crowded.
Tomorrow we might go into Bangkok to look around.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Center for Educational Technology and Non-Formal Education and an opportunity
12/20
We had a meeting with the Center for Educational Technology www.ceted.org. We met with people from Non-Formal Education to learn about the use of technology and distance education for the delivery of courses for Non-Formal Education centers.
We talked about distance education and non-formal education. We watched a well done video that described the purpose of non-formal education. It sounded like the community college mission. There are three broad themes for training, life skills, community development, and career development. We talked about what is essential to get adults to take advantage of training. I discussed the need for respect for the students, excellent teachers who listen and meet the students immediate needs, and content that is practical and useful.
The non-formal education centers are attempting to meet adults IT training needs, but the curriculum is not comprehensive or organized. I will be meeting with people at the Center for Educational Technology to share our Information Technology Support Specialist curriculum. The meeting will be December 29th. to see the ITS curriculum visit www.uaf.tvc.edu/its/ . I am looking forward to sharing our degree and course competencies and method of course organization and delivery. There is a real opportunity to share some of the material we have created for the ITS program at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, College of Rural and Community Development.
The meeting was in a formal conference room with food, audio broadcast capability, speakers, and food and drinks. In Thailand, during meetings, even in offices, people bring water, coffee, and usually a snack. There are people whose job is to serve the workers, at least in government offices. People in Thailand are very comfortable with having their pictures taken at meetings. In most meetings there are photographs to document the people present. I do not know what happens to all the photographs, but people pass around digital cameras and take pictures of each other.
After the meeting we went to Pantip Plaza and I had fun wandering around and looking at computers, software, and digital cameras. I got a mouse for Nick and Nuck's computer. The repair that we got at Pantip Plaza seems to be successful.
In the evening Jit had a whole group of the older kid's in the community and some young adults to talk about education. I was working on Photoshop so did not take part, I just listened and picked up what I could from the conversation.
Late in the evening there were fireworks, I assume it was because of winter solstice, but I do not know and nobody said anything.
Tomorrow I will read, get caught up, and not go anywhere. We will go to STOU on Thursday.
As we travel around I am losing my sense of wonder, I take things for granted that used to be fantastic.
We had a meeting with the Center for Educational Technology www.ceted.org. We met with people from Non-Formal Education to learn about the use of technology and distance education for the delivery of courses for Non-Formal Education centers.
We talked about distance education and non-formal education. We watched a well done video that described the purpose of non-formal education. It sounded like the community college mission. There are three broad themes for training, life skills, community development, and career development. We talked about what is essential to get adults to take advantage of training. I discussed the need for respect for the students, excellent teachers who listen and meet the students immediate needs, and content that is practical and useful.
The non-formal education centers are attempting to meet adults IT training needs, but the curriculum is not comprehensive or organized. I will be meeting with people at the Center for Educational Technology to share our Information Technology Support Specialist curriculum. The meeting will be December 29th. to see the ITS curriculum visit www.uaf.tvc.edu/its/ . I am looking forward to sharing our degree and course competencies and method of course organization and delivery. There is a real opportunity to share some of the material we have created for the ITS program at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, College of Rural and Community Development.
The meeting was in a formal conference room with food, audio broadcast capability, speakers, and food and drinks. In Thailand, during meetings, even in offices, people bring water, coffee, and usually a snack. There are people whose job is to serve the workers, at least in government offices. People in Thailand are very comfortable with having their pictures taken at meetings. In most meetings there are photographs to document the people present. I do not know what happens to all the photographs, but people pass around digital cameras and take pictures of each other.
After the meeting we went to Pantip Plaza and I had fun wandering around and looking at computers, software, and digital cameras. I got a mouse for Nick and Nuck's computer. The repair that we got at Pantip Plaza seems to be successful.
In the evening Jit had a whole group of the older kid's in the community and some young adults to talk about education. I was working on Photoshop so did not take part, I just listened and picked up what I could from the conversation.
Late in the evening there were fireworks, I assume it was because of winter solstice, but I do not know and nobody said anything.
Tomorrow I will read, get caught up, and not go anywhere. We will go to STOU on Thursday.
As we travel around I am losing my sense of wonder, I take things for granted that used to be fantastic.
Hua Hin, the Distance Learning Foundation, the Wang Klaikangwoo School
12/17/05 to 12/19/05
Driving back to Bang Krachow in the Taxi I saw two people who were disabled pushing a wheelchair over the bridge that goes over the new flood control canal under the Mega-Bridge. I also saw a pedi-cabs being pushed over the bridge with the passengers still riding. The hill is pretty steep for people to peddle over.
There is a new 7-11 on the read to Bang Krachow. It was built very quickly, almost a pre-fab, it is about half way out on the peninsula. That makes three mini-marts on the peninsula.
Before we went into Bangkok to get a ride to Hua Hin I went for a long walk in the park it was windy and I got goose bumps. The weather really is cooler now, people wear coats and hats sometimes. To me it is a relief.
We took a taxi to the Thai Farmers Bank under the Ari Sky Train station. We met Dr Siriwan Anantho with the School of Communication Arts at Sukothai Thammathirat Open University and rode with her to her parent's house at Cha Am.
We looked at the Cha Am beach, it reminded me of when we went there with Jit's family in 2001. When we were visiting Cha Am in 2001 we also stayed at Pan's house at Kaeng Krachan National Park. Going to a place again, remembering how I experienced it, and then comparing that experiences can be a revelation. My perspective is very different, what was strange is now normal.
We went to the palace of Rama VII. It was closed, but we walked on the grounds, the trees are huge. We went to Hue Hin and saw the old Railroad Hotel, now the Sofitel Central. It was really a beautiful old hotel, with a nice beach and swimming pool. There was a large Christmas tree and a large neon sign that said Merry Christmas. The hotel is an immaculate restoration. I think it would be an excellent hotel to stay at and relax.
I liked Hue Hin, it was not crazy like Patong Beach in Phuket. I will try to stay there in the future. We also saw the train station, it was ornate and interesting.
We then went to Siriwan's parent's house, it was near the beach and beautifully designed with beautiful wood floors and architectural details. We looked at the village and saw their old home on the beach. She has many family members in the community. There are many high rise hotels, but where we were, is an original village. The land will probably be developed, but for now it is a wonderful place to live. I love watching the ocean waves.
At Dr. Siriwan's parent's home we had a wonderful meal and were joined by Dr. Scott Mclean from the University of Calgary, Dr Kamolratchim and Dr. Nhing of STOU. We talked until 9:30 about the roles of the faculty, the uses of technology, and globalization. It was a deep and thoughtful conversation, when we were not teasing each other. It was also great to be able to use English and to understand the conversation.
We stayed at Dr. Siriwan's parents home, we had a separate room. It was very restful. In the morning we walked down to the village and did some photography.
We then went to the Distance Learning Foundation which is sponsored by the King. The Wang Klaikangwoo School is a Royal school that is also the source for the comprehensive set of distance education broadcasts that are available throughout Thailand as well as Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Yunnan province in China. The Distance Learning via Technology system is television based, supplemented by Fax, print, and the Internet. The video technology was first class.
Two things that were thought provoking were the use of a school as the source of the broadcasts. The actual classes were bring broadcast in real time, there was tape delay available, but it was for time shifting. Having the educational programs of actual live classes I think has real advantages in making the presentations interesting. We saw a class being taught with two high quality television cameras. The school, which is a Royal school, is the source of the programs, each of the class rooms is equipped for broadcasting.
The purpose of the DLT is to serve remote schools and schools that have few teachers, it sounded much like rural Alaska. The broadcasts are also available on UBC cable, channels 1-6 are for elementary school, channels 7-12 are for secondary school, channel 13 is for vocational broadcasts, channel 14 is for International broadcasts, and channel 15 is for use of the University. The broadcasts and supporting materials are also provided to the general public and for non-formal education students. Being under Royal patronage gives the foundation an advantage for gathering funds and in encouraging cooperation.
We saw a video of the King addressing the staff of the foundation. The King is impressive in action, he seems like a thoughtful concerned person who truly cares about the needs of the people. In Alaska I see the picture of the King on many walls and on calendars, it seems sort of silly, but being in Thailand and hearing his speech on his birthday, and seeing his influence, I am impressed. Most of all the King seems genuine, a real caring compassionate person, not a politician.
Another web site that supports the broadcasts is http://www.dlfeschool.in.th/
Some statistics, there are 3,107 secondary schools, 8,140 remote schools, and 16 remote boarding schools for orphans because of AID's or tragedy, that have distance learning reception with the correct satellite equipment. Everything is free of charge. The web site www.dlf.ac.th provides Internet support to the educational broadcasts. The material is even used Internationally. There is also a Wat in Los Angeles that provides materials to Thai citizens in the United States.
Video in Thailand makes a lot of sense, most people have access to television, although many can not afford cable. The audience that needs to be convinced to use the material is the teachers. As is usual there are problems getting the teachers to use the materials. There is printed support material of a high quality for the courses. What I saw was educational television done correctly with resources and support. The idea of an actual school being the source of live broadcasts is also interesting. The broadcasts were not taped and then re-used, except for time shifting. The material was fresh and real.
After the tour, and in depth discussion, we went to Rama VII's palace on the beach. The palace is very open and cool, there are huge trees on the grounds that provide shade. The feeling is almost like living outdoors. The palace is called Klai Kangwon "Far From Worries". The various buildings and rooms are on pillars that are connected by raised paths. Everything is in the air and the flow of air and feeling is bright and breezy. It really is an interesting building.
On the way back to Bangkok, we stopped in a town, Tha Yang, near Petchaburi, to have Pad Thai. The place is supposed to be famous, and it was excellent. There was nothing to distinguish the place, just a normal Thai food place in a market, but the word of mouth has created popularity. The food was excellent. The area was also interesting, there were many traditional wooden, unrestored buildings. The street we were in had not been overwhelmed with concrete shop houses.
We got dropped off where the road cuts off to Phra Pradaeng. We caught a taxi. There was a lot of construction, probably for the ring road that will connect to the Mega-Bridge.
Driving back to Bang Krachow in the Taxi I saw two people who were disabled pushing a wheelchair over the bridge that goes over the new flood control canal under the Mega-Bridge. I also saw a pedi-cabs being pushed over the bridge with the passengers still riding. The hill is pretty steep for people to peddle over.
There is a new 7-11 on the read to Bang Krachow. It was built very quickly, almost a pre-fab, it is about half way out on the peninsula. That makes three mini-marts on the peninsula.
Before we went into Bangkok to get a ride to Hua Hin I went for a long walk in the park it was windy and I got goose bumps. The weather really is cooler now, people wear coats and hats sometimes. To me it is a relief.
We took a taxi to the Thai Farmers Bank under the Ari Sky Train station. We met Dr Siriwan Anantho with the School of Communication Arts at Sukothai Thammathirat Open University and rode with her to her parent's house at Cha Am.
We looked at the Cha Am beach, it reminded me of when we went there with Jit's family in 2001. When we were visiting Cha Am in 2001 we also stayed at Pan's house at Kaeng Krachan National Park. Going to a place again, remembering how I experienced it, and then comparing that experiences can be a revelation. My perspective is very different, what was strange is now normal.
We went to the palace of Rama VII. It was closed, but we walked on the grounds, the trees are huge. We went to Hue Hin and saw the old Railroad Hotel, now the Sofitel Central. It was really a beautiful old hotel, with a nice beach and swimming pool. There was a large Christmas tree and a large neon sign that said Merry Christmas. The hotel is an immaculate restoration. I think it would be an excellent hotel to stay at and relax.
I liked Hue Hin, it was not crazy like Patong Beach in Phuket. I will try to stay there in the future. We also saw the train station, it was ornate and interesting.
We then went to Siriwan's parent's house, it was near the beach and beautifully designed with beautiful wood floors and architectural details. We looked at the village and saw their old home on the beach. She has many family members in the community. There are many high rise hotels, but where we were, is an original village. The land will probably be developed, but for now it is a wonderful place to live. I love watching the ocean waves.
At Dr. Siriwan's parent's home we had a wonderful meal and were joined by Dr. Scott Mclean from the University of Calgary, Dr Kamolratchim and Dr. Nhing of STOU. We talked until 9:30 about the roles of the faculty, the uses of technology, and globalization. It was a deep and thoughtful conversation, when we were not teasing each other. It was also great to be able to use English and to understand the conversation.
We stayed at Dr. Siriwan's parents home, we had a separate room. It was very restful. In the morning we walked down to the village and did some photography.
We then went to the Distance Learning Foundation which is sponsored by the King. The Wang Klaikangwoo School is a Royal school that is also the source for the comprehensive set of distance education broadcasts that are available throughout Thailand as well as Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Yunnan province in China. The Distance Learning via Technology system is television based, supplemented by Fax, print, and the Internet. The video technology was first class.
Two things that were thought provoking were the use of a school as the source of the broadcasts. The actual classes were bring broadcast in real time, there was tape delay available, but it was for time shifting. Having the educational programs of actual live classes I think has real advantages in making the presentations interesting. We saw a class being taught with two high quality television cameras. The school, which is a Royal school, is the source of the programs, each of the class rooms is equipped for broadcasting.
The purpose of the DLT is to serve remote schools and schools that have few teachers, it sounded much like rural Alaska. The broadcasts are also available on UBC cable, channels 1-6 are for elementary school, channels 7-12 are for secondary school, channel 13 is for vocational broadcasts, channel 14 is for International broadcasts, and channel 15 is for use of the University. The broadcasts and supporting materials are also provided to the general public and for non-formal education students. Being under Royal patronage gives the foundation an advantage for gathering funds and in encouraging cooperation.
We saw a video of the King addressing the staff of the foundation. The King is impressive in action, he seems like a thoughtful concerned person who truly cares about the needs of the people. In Alaska I see the picture of the King on many walls and on calendars, it seems sort of silly, but being in Thailand and hearing his speech on his birthday, and seeing his influence, I am impressed. Most of all the King seems genuine, a real caring compassionate person, not a politician.
Another web site that supports the broadcasts is http://www.dlfeschool.in.th/
Some statistics, there are 3,107 secondary schools, 8,140 remote schools, and 16 remote boarding schools for orphans because of AID's or tragedy, that have distance learning reception with the correct satellite equipment. Everything is free of charge. The web site www.dlf.ac.th provides Internet support to the educational broadcasts. The material is even used Internationally. There is also a Wat in Los Angeles that provides materials to Thai citizens in the United States.
Video in Thailand makes a lot of sense, most people have access to television, although many can not afford cable. The audience that needs to be convinced to use the material is the teachers. As is usual there are problems getting the teachers to use the materials. There is printed support material of a high quality for the courses. What I saw was educational television done correctly with resources and support. The idea of an actual school being the source of live broadcasts is also interesting. The broadcasts were not taped and then re-used, except for time shifting. The material was fresh and real.
After the tour, and in depth discussion, we went to Rama VII's palace on the beach. The palace is very open and cool, there are huge trees on the grounds that provide shade. The feeling is almost like living outdoors. The palace is called Klai Kangwon "Far From Worries". The various buildings and rooms are on pillars that are connected by raised paths. Everything is in the air and the flow of air and feeling is bright and breezy. It really is an interesting building.
On the way back to Bangkok, we stopped in a town, Tha Yang, near Petchaburi, to have Pad Thai. The place is supposed to be famous, and it was excellent. There was nothing to distinguish the place, just a normal Thai food place in a market, but the word of mouth has created popularity. The food was excellent. The area was also interesting, there were many traditional wooden, unrestored buildings. The street we were in had not been overwhelmed with concrete shop houses.
We got dropped off where the road cuts off to Phra Pradaeng. We caught a taxi. There was a lot of construction, probably for the ring road that will connect to the Mega-Bridge.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Pizza Delivery
We are off to Cha Am and Hu Hin to visit some non-formal education sites. I will post the results on Wednesday.
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