11/23/2005 - AFS Thailand head receives commendation

Congratulations to Sanan Angubolkul who was recently recognised by the American Field Service Intercultural Programme for the outstanding contribution he has made to the programme in Thailand over the last two years. At a ceremony held at The Residence, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Sanan, in his capacity as chairman of AFS Thailand, was presented with a Quality Excellence Award by the president of AFS International, Fransisco Cazal. Witnessing the presentation were Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon, US Ambassador Ralph Boyce, Khunying Natthika Angubolkul and Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.

Amongst its other achievements, AFS Thailand has shown outstanding programme growth in the last five years, increasing the total number of outbound students by more than 20 percent. For the third year in a row, it has had 100 percent on-time participation placement with host families and has also nurtured one of the most vibrant and distinguished volunteer corps in the whole AFS network.

Just for the record: AFS was founded by volunteer American ambulance drivers who had served during the two world wars. As a result of their experiences they pledged to work toward eradicating hostility between nations and making the world a friendlier, more peaceful place. In 1947, they began a modest exchange programme, bringing 52 high-school students from 10 countries to the US for a year-long exchange experience. Today there are over 1,300 AFS programme paths around the world, linking some 50 different destinations. The AFS Intercultural Programme was inaugurated in Thailand in 1962 under the supervision of the Education and Foreign Affairs ministries and with support from USIS (the US Information Service) at the American embassy here. AFS Thailand now has more than 10,000 satisfied participants – returnees from the many programmes it offers. Next year it will be sending 800 Thai students to 45 countries and will be acting as overall host for more than 300 students, teachers or volunteers from 33 nations.

During his visit to the Kingdom, Fransisco Cazal also presided over the AFS Thailand Annual Volunteer Meeting at the Emerald Hotel, met members of the press and attended an AFS celebratory dinner at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Central Plaza Lat Phrao.

In the photo: (L to R) Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairperson, AFS Thailand and Mr. Francisco Cazal, President, AFS International. Reprinted with permission from The Bangkok Post, Bangkok, Thailand, November 12, 2005.