Hello and anybody who is reading this today is very welcome to my latest blog where I plan to touch on a number of things, from how the new school year is progressing to future plans and of course, as the blog title suggests, to some of the holidays during the early part of the Thai school calendar.
Thailand’s Rich Heritage: Festivals and Celebrations
‘Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.’ #BuddhistQuote
Thailand, our “Land of Smiles”, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, fantastic hospitality, and vibrant celebrations. The many holidays that are celebrated here include fun Thai festivals, national holidays, Buddhist celebrations, and Royal holidays for the monarchy. These are all unique in their own way and bring a sense of communal spirit and camaraderie that make Thailand such an attractive and popular destination.
These various festivals and holidays also promote compassion, understanding, and peace. Commodities that are sadly lacking in today’s world. These holidays have been especially memorable for those of us teaching in Thailand, as they have given us a deeper connection with local traditions.
Celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday
The school year has only just begun for most of us in the last few weeks, but already we have had a Royal holiday celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday.
Although her birthday fell on June 3rd, at my school, Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School, we had an extended assembly on the morning of Friday, May 30th, in honor of this day.
This involved all staff and students being present while prayers were said and offerings were made for The Queen. As the Queen’s colour is purple, our school was decorated in a way that reflected this. Where possible, people also wore the colour purple out of respect.
Wai Kru Day: Honoring Teachers in Thailand
Although that day has just passed, we do not have to wait long until another special day in the Thai calendar comes into view: Wai Kru Day. Wai Kru itself translates to “paying respect to teachers,” and when the day is celebrated, it can be school-specific. It is a day for students to express gratitude and respect for their teachers’ guidance, typically involving students offering flowers or garlands.
The ceremony itself often involves musical performances from the school band and others, and is a nice day for us hard-working teachers to feel appreciated. For those of us who teach English in Thailand, it’s especially heartwarming to see our students’ appreciation firsthand.
Asalha Bucha and The King’s Birthday: July Highlights
Before moving on, I want to touch on two more holidays early in the school year, which will impact us in July. These are Asalha Bucha, which will be celebrated on July 10th, and His Majesty The King’s birthday later in the month on July 28th.
Asalha Bucha Day is a major Buddhist holiday that commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon and the founding of the community of monks. It is marked by merit-making activities, such as giving alms, attending sermons, and participating in temple processions.
For His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday at the end of July, wearing yellow will be the order of the day, and the rituals and celebrations that mark the day will not be too dissimilar to those we had for Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday.
Welcoming New Teachers to the Buriram Pittyakhom Family
I wanted to share some of my colleagues’ and my experiences from this new school year with all of you. Back now over a month, it is super busy here in Buriram. For those who are unfamiliar, I am the Math teacher in the English Program at Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School. This new school term, we have been joined by 3 fantastic new teachers in the EP department.
Teacher Bee is our new English teacher, while Teacher Kevin is our Science guru. Teacher Stuart teaches both Health and ACE. They were granted a very warm welcome by all existing teachers and our students, and have proven to be extremely adaptable, dedicated, and inspiring. It’s always great to see passionate new teachers in Thailand joining our community.
Building Bridges: International Student Exchange
Just two weeks into the new school term, we had a visit from Ms. Emily Howard from Lincoln High School in Christchurch, New Zealand. She is the International Student Director at that school where one of our students, Pleng, spent a number of very enjoyable months.
Pleng is one of our students in the English Program here, and we were all very proud of her partaking in this educational trip. She was not the first and will not be the last of our students to spend some time during their high school years studying overseas. In the past, our students have also been to Japan and the USA.
It is something that I wholeheartedly believe in and endorse as a teacher. It offers multiple benefits and opportunities to the students who grasp this chance. There is the obvious. Students have the chance to improve their language skills in an environment where it is the dominant spoken and written language. It also presents students with the sometimes challenging task of communicating across cultures, a skill highly valued in today’s globalized world.
Exchange programs like this also provide cultural exposure and offer the opportunity to make international friends, whether from the same program or within the school or community itself. To sum it up, it promotes personal growth, fosters independence, and enhances further study and career prospects.
I salute our students in Thailand who have gone down this route in the past and those who will choose to do so again in the future. Many thanks to Ms. Howard for her visit and for her dedication and guidance to Pleng in her role.
Incorporating Technology and Project-Based Learning
The new school year has brought a mixture of excitement and adjustment, and the return to a structured schedule has been both welcome and refreshing for me personally. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher is watching our students grow each year – academically, personally, and socially.
In the ever-evolving world we live in, integrating new technology into the classroom has become a primary concern for some teachers, and it is certainly a new element to consider. The constant battle against students using their own technology in class continues, as does my motivation as their teacher to see them excel and reach their potential, for there is little sadder in life than lost potential.
Looking at technology as an asset rather than an obstacle may be key. We need to pull together, not pull apart.
Hands-On Approach: Math Classes at Buriram Pittyakhom
This is now my fourth year living and teaching here in Thailand with BFITS. Although I took a six-month break in 2023, I have been here since October 2023 and have been enjoying my time, both professionally and personally.
On a professional level, I consistently strive to improve myself each year, and this year is no exception. To this end, I have tried to incorporate a more hands-on approach to my Math classes. Adopting a more project-based approach to teaching seems to have engaged my students in real-world tasks and challenges. It has fostered a deeper understanding of the topics while encouraging critical thinking and developing problem-solving skills.
Working as part of a group gives my students the opportunity to develop collaborative and communication skills while encouraging shared responsibility. Teaching in Thailand has truly allowed me to explore new methods and grow professionally. Always looking for ways to improve, this year has started well.
Mental Health Awareness Month
That is a glimpse of the current activities happening at Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School. I have lots more to share, and I hope to do so in future blogs.
Before signing off on this blog, I do want to mention that June is International Men’s Mental Health Month. This is to raise awareness of mental health challenges faced by men and boys, to break down stigma, and to encourage healthy and positive conversation. It’s ok to not be ok.
Take care, all.
Chris Whearty,
Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School
Line: kilkennycats86
