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StrontiumDog

Tony Blair's friendly chat wows Thai kids - The Nation

Tony Blair's friendly chat wows Thai kids

Wannapa Khaopa
The Nation January 17, 2012 1:00 am


Meeting former British prime minister Tony Blair in person yesterday was an exciting and inspiring moment for a number of Thai students.

"We were really excited that we had a chance to meet him in person," a group of 10 secondary students from Potisarn Pittayakorn School in Bangkok told The Nation after they met and learned from Blair how to greet people in English.

Arisa Sittichokkananon, a Prathom 4 student (fourth grader) from Bangkok Bilingual School said she was impressed with his English language teaching. "I like [the way] he taught us to greet in English. He was friendly."

Arisa was the luckiest student as she was the only one among 80 students from eight schools in Bangkok brave enough to ask for and receive Blair's autograph.

The former British PM visited Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul at the Education Ministry and received a warm welcome from the students. Upon his arrival, Blair taught them to greet in English: "Hello. Thank you, it is wonderful to be with you today."

Blair praised the ministry's English Speaking Year 2012 policy that is encouraging teachers and students to speak English the whole day at least once a week.

"It is really a brave decision for Thailand's education system to do this. It is a very sensible decision. It is a very great idea. Thailand is a wonderful nation. It's got huge potential and a great future. Speaking English is going to be a help to people in Thailand. We are very proud that you in Thailand are learning to speak our language," he said.

A secondary student asked him if English should be the main language among Asean nations.

"It is an easy common language for people to have. For Asean, it makes sense. The world today is more and more one community so how you communicate with people is very important. For that reason, English is important. It's also important for English people to learn other languages," Blair told the student.

He also answered a question from a six-year-old student named Nicky: "Do you like Thailand?"

The former premier answered: "Yes, I do. I like Thailand for many reasons. When I got married, we had a honeymoon in Thailand."

Although it was hot and humid yesterday, the students were enthusiastic to learn and practise English with him.

However, Panisa Supatadarut, 14, Nawindaran Sakityanyong, 15, and Thananya Panyasin, 14, from Potisarn Pittayakorn School said they had many questions to ask Blair, but as it was so crowded and they were far from him, they did not have a chance to talk with him.

Woravat said after he met Blair, his foundation - Faith Foundation - would help Thailand to develop English among Thai students. A committee would be set up to discuss how to work with them. The foundation would also pass on other knowledge and give other assistance to Thailand.

"It was a good opportunity for Thai students to meet Blair. His visit would encourage them to learn English after we set the English Speaking Year 2012 mission," Woravat added.

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StrontiumDog

The Nation tete-a-tete with Blair - The Nation

The Nation tete-a-tete with Blair

January 17, 2012 1:00 am

Former British prime minister Tony Blair is scheduled to discuss key global political and economic issues in an interview with The Nation's Editor in Chief Suthichai Yoon today.

Follow Nation Group's reports on the interview through Asean TV (True 99) tonight, Nation Channel, The Nation - Thailand news, Breaking news, Newspaper english, The Nation newspaper, Krungthep Turakij and Kom Chad Luek.

Blair will also speak on "The Challenges and Opportunities in a Globalised World" at the BOI Fair's CEO Forum at the Plaza Athenee Hotel this morning, the first international gathering of its kind in Thailand since last year's flood disaster.

StrontiumDog

Photo from Reuters Pictures


Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks with children during his visit to the Education Ministry in Bangkok January 16, 2012.


Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair gestures as he arrives at the Education Ministry during his visit in Thailand in Bangkok January 16, 2012.


Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) shakes hand with Thailand's Minister of Education Woravat Auapinyakul during his visit in Thailand at the Education Ministry in Bangkok January 16, 2012.

taxexile

his friendly chat wowed, fooled and ruined a nation for 12 years, winning over thai kids should be a walk in the park for the glib bastard.

Mr Lick

Meeting people who haven't got a clue what he is on about would seem to be the perfect arrangement for both parties.

nigelandjan

Beat me to it Taxex

Khun Custard

And how lucky we all are to have Tony in our midst??

Where's my invite to some posh booze up provided by the British Embassy to celebrate this emancipation of the Thai kiddies, the education system and selling english as the 2nd language?

Gosh, with Hillary in Burma only recently too; let's hope the Auzzies can entice Sir Les Patterson to further the cause of western democracy, culture and the english language... I find great difficulty in translating BIG C, Singha and all the 2nd language, hwy signs in Thailand from Swahili, Mandarin and Russian to english. NOT

ltnt

From one moron to a room full of child morons. WOW 'em Tony

Koojo

Shouldn't this be in the 'non news' section.
Up your game SD,

Airportwo

Must have just washed his hands would have expected to see more visible blood!

StrontiumDog

^^ I can't believe you gave me a red for this? It is all over the Thai English language press.

Tony Blair's friendly... (Tony Blair's friendly chat wows Thai kids) 17-01-2012 03:47 PM Koojo Gripping stuff.

Jesus f*cking Christ there are some ungrateful c*nts here.

I just post the news.

Personally I despise Blair, but that's just me.

Koojo, how about you post some f*cking news? And then I'll be happy to give you a red for your time and effort. C*nt.

Unbelievable. Like, really, truly unbelievable.

It's the f*cking news, you complete retard.

Oh and finally, why should I "up my game"? Who the f*ck are you?

Maxion

^ I think he was being sarcastic as in Tony Blair is not a worthy candidate for the news section.

khmen

Tony Bear. Said to me by a Thai at some point, it had me in stitches!


Greedy murdering cnut Tony Bear.

khmen

"And here we have some cute little children, reminds me of the one's I ordered blown to bits in Iraq...ahh, memories memories..."

koman

I personally think his time would be better spent on teaching many of his fellow countrymen how to speak English.......with a compulsory course on civility and good manners. Be like trying to teach rabbits calculus, but maybe worth a try...

Dan

I'd love to know how much Blair charged for this.

BobR

It must have taken a team of crack surgeons to remove George Bush's arm from Blair's ass.

"And here we have some cute little children, reminds me of the one's I ordered blown to bits in Iraq...ahh, memories memories..."

yep, of course he converted to Catholicism (most people quit when they reach the age of reason) so maybe he has other ideas.

Koojo

If you're going to post news post news. What some kids think about Tony Blair is not news.
You usually do such a good job it's just a bit shocking to see you sink to this non news level.











lly

nostromo

This time I am with you.

farrang

Tony Blair the ( war criminal ) don't listen to a word the Cnut! says kids he will destroy your country next.

nostromo

Koojo, you obviously only go for the Nazi thing. Hey, you lost your 1000 year empire. in 5 years. Fxcker.

Dan

^ FFS, give it a rest.

nostromo

If Tony Blair was such a war criminal, he would have killed your lot while he was in office.

I personally think Blair was best PM after Thatcher.

taxexile

its items like this, that might not seem like much at first, but slowly build up a head of steam resulting in epic threads, as the teak door "intelligentsia", motor mouth yanks, opinionated conservatives, self righteous lefties, foul mouthed peacenicks, troublemaking belgians and wannabe comedians all pile in.

keep em coming sd, youre doing a grand job.

koman

I agree. When you look at the list, it's a pretty fucking dismal showing. At least Bair tried to stand for something, and was prepared to make decisions....regardless if you agree with them or not. Thatcher same same.

It's always been mystery why so much of the British electorate prefer PM's who don't do much of anything. Fits right into their agenda I suppose. Getting that Union hall mentality out of them may take another generation or two. They don't like Americans either. Actually they don't like anybody; not even themselves. Might be best to just have a military coup and run the place like N. Korea for a while....

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