James Kon
Brunei Darussalam and Thailand share close ties in education with over 40 Thai students studying in the country this year.
Ambassador of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam Wanthanee Viputwongsakul hoped that the ties between both nations remain close, despite the decreasing number of incoming Thai students to Brunei this year.
“We had a higher number of Thai students in previous years, particularly under exchange programmes. But the number of incoming Thai students has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our shared desire that the education links between our two countries remain close and I am confident that the number of students will return as we eventually recover from this pandemic,” she said during the Thailand Day celebration at Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) yesterday.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar officiated the one-day event, which was a special collaboration between the Royal Thai Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and KUPU SB with support from Thai students in Brunei.
The ambassador said there are 44 Thai students in Brunei Darussalam, with five studying at KUPU SB, 36 at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), and one each at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB).
She added, “Two of these students are studying under the Brunei Scholarship for Foreign Students. We also have one military student taking up a course at the Royal Brunei Armed Forces’ Defence Academy.”
The ambassador thanked the Brunei Government, particularly each institution’s management, for looking after the well-being of Thai students in the country. The Royal Thai Embassy has also been in close contact with the students to ensure they are staying healthy during these challenging times.
Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom and spouse enjoyed a choral speaking performance by Thai students, cultural performance by KUPU SB students and a Thai traditional dance by the Thai community.
The Thailand Day celebration aimed to introduce aspects of Thailand including food, tourism and arts and crafts.
It also allowed showcase of a variety of Thai herbs and spices known to have health benefits.