Thailand Knowledge Park (TK park) under the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (public organization), in collaboration with the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), Department of ASEAN affairs, Department of East Asia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ASEAN Association of Thailand organized an exhibition on the theme of
“A Journey through ASEAN, Part 3: ASEAN, Unity in Diversity”. The exhibition aimed to educate children, youth and the general public about the unity and diversity of ASEAN. It is hoped that the exhibition would increase the social awareness of our neighbors in preparation for the ASEAN community participation.
Dr. Tassanai Wongpisetkul, the Deputy Director of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development and the Director of Thailand Knowledge Park (TK park), stated that the “A Journey through ASEAN” exhibition was primarily organized to provide knowledge and understanding of the 10 ASEAN countries. The exhibition has been put together since 2001 to prepare Thai children, youth and the general public for the upcoming ASEAN participation. The theme of the exhibition concepts and presentation format are different in each year to make it interesting and fun to learn different topics. TK park has modified the ASEAN exhibition into a traveling exhibition equipped with a TK exhibition kit that interested organizations may borrow and put it up in any venue. The exhibitions have received most favorable responses.
“The exhibition on “A Journey through ASEAN, Part 3: ASEAN - Unity in Diversity” provides an open door to more insightful and varied dimensions of ASEAN countries in order to better educate and create more understanding on the diversity yet unity characteristics of ASEAN countries through a variety of learning activities. The exhibition contents include language, sports, performing arts, culture, and literature. Literary works and writings of famous writers, such asPrapatsorn Saewikul, Kittipot Uttawichian who is the editor of BE Magazine, and the works of a groups of young and creative writers, have also been included”.
The exhibition’s opening ceremony will feature a number of ASEAN arts and culture as well as learning materials on ASEAN provided by the co-organizers. There will be, for example, demonstrations of the Panchasilat sport, “Kicking the shuttlecock” by amateur athletes from Vietnam, Thai kickboxing by the Society of Thai Boxing Instructors, ASEAN art and culture performances by performers from the Philippines through a collaboration with the Philippines Embassy, and the traditional dance performances by Indonesian performers through a collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy.
“The exhibition on “A journey through ASEAN, Part 3: ASEAN - Unity in Diversity” will be held every Saturdays and Sundays over a period of four weeks from Saturday 18 May 2013 to Sunday 9 June 2013 at TK park’s Open Square, located on the 8th floor of the Central World shopping center. Some of the interesting activities are:
Open your heart to learning
• ASEAN Wall x2: Learning about ASEAN from an oversized wall display and doubling fun activities
• Handmade ASEAN Media Kit - Creating your own learning media
• Eat, travel, and shop through the ASEAN languages – Enjoy learning languages of ASEAN country members through simple words
• Learn, play, dance and enjoy ASEAN folk sports - Enjoy learning the sport diversity of ASEAN community members
ASEAN Kaleidoscope
• Amusing ASEAN tales - Listening to ASEAN tales from winners of the “Sharpen your brain, battle your wits, and identify young storytellers” project.
• “Inspired by Idol” talk - Meet various idols to get an inspiration to learn about ASEAN, for example, Khunying Laksanachantorn Laohaphan, President of the ASEAN Association of Thailand; Prapatsorn Saewikul, a writer with many talents; Kittipot Uttawichian, Editor of the BE Magazine; and a group of young and creative writers.
• Watch ASEAN arts and culture performance through a variety of sport demonstrations and shows
• “Open-air ASEAN films” - Watch featured films from different ASEAN country members
Dr. Tassanai added that this exhibition could arrange a special tour for students who come as a group between Tuesday and Friday. The exhibition features four learning stations: Getting to know and understand ASEAN through an ASEAN Wall; Eat, travel, and shop through the ASEAN languages; Fun learning through the ASEAN dominos, and Handmade ASEAN learning media. The exhibition’s large variety of activities has been designed to reach the widest groups of children, youth, and the general public.
Interested persons can visit the exhibition from 18 May 2013 to 9 June 2013 at TK park’s Open Square on the 8th floor of the Central World shopping center. Details of each week activities can be found at www.tkpark.or.th. Interested schools and educational institutions can make advanced appointment to visit the exhibition at Tel. 02-257-4300 Ext 300.
