First Day of Conference at a Glance

07:30-16:45 Exhibits Open 08:00-08:15 Opening Remarks 08:15-08:30 Student Choir, International School Bangkok 08:30-09:30 Keynote Speaker 09:30-10:00 Coffee Break 10:00-11:30 Session 1 11:30-12:30 Lunch 12:30-13:30 Job-a-Like Sessions 13:45-14:45 Session 2 14:45-15:15 Coffee Break 15:15-16:45 Session 3 16:30-21:00 Crafts Fair / Bazaar 18:30-21:00 Welcome Reception & Cultural Night

HISTORY OF THAILAND

The history of Thailand begins with the migration of the Thais into what is now Thailand during the first millennium. Prior to this, bronze and iron age civilizations had existed for several thousand years, plus later Mon, Malay, and Khmer kingdoms. The Thais established their own kingdoms, most prominently a brief flowering at Sukhothai and more lastingly the Ayutthaya kingdom. These kingdoms were under constant threat from Burma and Vietnam, as well as from Thai and Lao rivals. The European colonial powers threatened in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but Thailand survived as the only Southeast Asian state to avoid colonial rule. After the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand endured sixty years of almost permanent military rule before the establishment of a democratic system. Source: Wikipedia

THAI CUSTOMS

One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgment, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved, but generally it involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands and a bow of the head. Couples and people of opposite sex should not touch each other in public (including holding hands). However, physical demonstrations of affection in public are common between friends of the same sex. Touching someone on the head is considered rude. It is also considered rude to place one’s feet at a level above someone else’s head, especially if that person is of higher social standing. This is because the Thai people consider the foot to be the dirtiest and lowest part of the body, and the head the most respected and highest part of the body. Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude. When sitting, keep both feet on the ground. It is customary to remove one’s footwear before entering a home or a temple, and not to step on the threshold. When sitting in a temple, one is expected to point one’s feet away from images of the Buddha. Because of their religious discipline, Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. Women making offerings to monks place their donation at the feet of the monk, or on a cloth laid on the ground or a table. Source: Wikipedia

NATURE

Thailand is a country with abundant natural resources, including a wide variety of flora and fauna, and distinct ecological zones. There are over 100 Thailand national parks, including more than 20 marine parks, and each park features unique attractions, outstanding facilities, and opportunities to see animals in Thailand. Those interested in trekking, mountain biking, photography, birding, camping, scuba diving, or getting up close to exotic animals in Thailand have many options to choose from.

A visit to a Thailand beach or one of the many Thailand islands is an opportunity for visitors to relax, experience exotic marine life, or even learn to scuba dive. However, across Thailand, whether at a beach, island, or Thailand National Park visitors will discover unique flora and fauna and distinct ecological zones, from the temperate forests of the northern mountains and the plains of central Thailand to the savannahs of the northeast and the mangrove forests of the southern coasts. Animals in Thailand include not only elephants and monkeys but also bears and whale sharks, the world’s largest fish.