Riverside Highlights Issue 17 Half Term Highlights Term 3b 2016-17 | Page 18

SHREWSBURY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS
BANGKOK ECONOMICS ESSAY LAUNCH—report by Sense (12RP)
On Wednesday the 21 st June, twenty-three Year 12 Economics students, along with students from five
other international schools, visited the Crown Property Bureau to learn more about sustainable economy
initiatives in Thailand, commonly known as the "Por Piang" ideology. The event provided the launchpad
for the next Bangkok Economics Essay Competition, brainchild of Economics Teacher, Mr. Threlfall.
We were greeted with a warm welcome from Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak and the team from the Crown
Property Bureau, along with Professor Geoffrey Longfellow, a nationalized Thai lecturer on the topic of
Sufficiency.
Having studied the displays portraying Thailand's application of sustainability in various sectors, such as
education, agriculture and trade, all parties then departed for the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, where we
were split into smaller groups and were given a guided tour on the history of the Thai monarchy from
Rama IV to Rama VI. The tour provided a fascinating insight into their personal lives, and also how the gov-
erning of the Country was affected by external foreign influences, particularly in the advancement of
knowledge and technology.
The focal point of the day was a seminar led by Professor Longfellow which explored the Thai identity, and
how its young citizens can apply our knowledge to help progress the sustainable development of our
country. This was followed by a Q&A session, in which students brought up a range of questions, from
demographic development and infrastructure improvements to promoting social enterprise and improving
education prospects in Thailand.
Overall, it was a very intriguing and informative trip which allowed students to understand more about the
Thai economy, both historically and moving forward. No doubt this thought-provoking experience will
prove to be a valuable source of inspiration for all of our Economists in the upcoming Bangkok Economics
Essay Competition.
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