Bangkok--23 Jul--Thai Airways
Mr. Charamporn Jotikasthira, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), and Mr. Sukree Sitthiwanich, Deputy Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together presided over the launch of the “THAI-TAT Flight and Field Trip” for underprivileged children to create a learning experience outside the classroom and inspire children.
To celebrate THAI and TAT’s respective 55th anniversaries in 2015, a three-day field trip from 21-23 July 2015 was jointly organized as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility event. THAI took 100 children from Northern and Southern Thailand on flights from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and from Phuket to Bangkok. The field trip included a visit to THAI’s aircraft maintenance hangar, which is the largest in Southeast Asia, and a cultural field trip to major tourists attractions in Bangkok. THAI emphasizes creative learning experiences outside the classroom and recognizes the importance of inspiring young children, so they may grow to be quality citizens.
Based on TAT’s selection process, children between 12-15 years of age who live in foster care homes or orphanages in Northern and Southern Thailand who display good behavior and good academic standing were selected to participate in the event.
Mr. Sukree Sitthiwanich said TAT was delighted that TAT and THAI had the same goal for sustainable tourism and that children could gain knowledge and appreciation about Thai art, culture, nature, and philosophy on sufficiency economy by visiting historical venues, with the aim to build greater pride in Thainess. Venues and activities included: visit to the Grand Palace and practice showing respect to the Emerald Buddha; tour of the Rattanakosin Exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center, Chedi Phukhao Thong at Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Vihara, Royal Chitralada Project, and visit the marine ecosystem at SEALIFE, Bangkok Ocean World.
This activity began in 2013 with THAI in collaboration with the Thai Pilots Association. THAI continues this activity on the annual Thailand National Children’s Day in January, and on other occasions such as during the First Biofuel Flight in Asia and a visit to the Science Exhibition for Southern Border Children. This year is the first year that THAI has collaborated with TAT.