In rural Thailand, a lesson in goodwill and better education
| A GOOD education for all is on most people’s wish list for Thailand; it is the key to a better and fairer future for the people of this country. For longtime Bangkok resident Tim Beaumont, such hopes are not simply wishful thinking. He’s put words into action by building a school where it’s needed most – in Thailand’s impoverished and often neglected Northeast. Through a foundation he initiated, Tim has opened the Beaumont Ruam Pattana School in a small farming village in Wat Nong Yang Pattana, south of Chaiyaphum. |  |
A thoroughly modern, architect-inspired project, the school’s primary aim is to educate disadvantaged children in this area and for perhaps the first time prepare them for a career in major centres like Bangkok.
Long-term, the goal is for it to become self-sustainable through developing a business park, launching organic agricultural projects and opening a hospitality training center to provide young people with industry experience.
It’s an ambitious undertaking that has caught the attention and imagination of many Bangkok executives who see the school’s potential. Tim has already made contact with a major international hotel group, as well as food and catering companies. Former Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, who has launched a major rice scheme for Thailand’s rice farmers (see this issue of the BigChilli, page 62) has also expressed interest and will visit the school later this month.
Unsurprisingly in a region with limited educational opportunities, the school is already causing a stir amongst local parents who would like their children to become pupils there.
“The selection process is a simple luck-of-the-draw,” explains Tim, 65, a British-born naturalized Thai. “Anybody in the surrounding districts can apply to attend the school and no one influences the final choice.”
The Beaumont Partnership Foundation, which operates the school, was founded in 2010 by Tim and partners of the Beaumont Partnership, an architectural design practice in Thailand for more than 25 years.
Long-term, the goal is for it to become self-sustainable through developing a business park, launching organic agricultural projects and opening a hospitality training center to provide young people with industry experience.
It’s an ambitious undertaking that has caught the attention and imagination of many Bangkok executives who see the school’s potential. Tim has already made contact with a major international hotel group, as well as food and catering companies. Former Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, who has launched a major rice scheme for Thailand’s rice farmers (see this issue of the BigChilli, page 62) has also expressed interest and will visit the school later this month.
Unsurprisingly in a region with limited educational opportunities, the school is already causing a stir amongst local parents who would like their children to become pupils there.
“The selection process is a simple luck-of-the-draw,” explains Tim, 65, a British-born naturalized Thai. “Anybody in the surrounding districts can apply to attend the school and no one influences the final choice.”
The Beaumont Partnership Foundation, which operates the school, was founded in 2010 by Tim and partners of the Beaumont Partnership, an architectural design practice in Thailand for more than 25 years.
| Other directors of the foundation include Mick Farley, Principal of Harrow International School, and Dr Mechai Viravaidya, founder of the Population & Community Development Association. The foundation is supported by companies and individuals in Thailand and in Australia. A total of 187 students (74 kindergarten, 113 primary) currently attend the school with ages ranging from three to ten, and classes from kindergarten through to the 4th grade. “In the future, we are planning to have overall 400-500 students. Each year, we will expand with an additional grade year of approximately 30 students, two teachers per class,” said Tim, who regularly makes the 700km journey from Bangkok to oversee the project’s progress. |  |
“Right now we have 12 teachers and two assistant teachers. This does not include one English teacher. Our Board has agreed to recruit one more English teacher in the near future.”
The school operates under the Thai curriculum with a focus on creative arts, English communication and critical and creative thinking “but with an international overview by the school’s academic manager and Harrow International School.”
Tim explains that the school was established in order to “create social change through education without placing a burden on families.
“The average family, including uncles and aunts, in Chaiyaphum earns 11,000 baht per month. About 60 percent of the 14 to 15-year-olds leave school to find work.
“Without sufficient education the students do not have strong future prospects.”
To date, five buildings have been completed, including the library, kindergarten building, primary building, administration building; office, meeting room, headmaster’s office, server, and nurse room.
There is also a community building for student lunches, kitchens, and community meeting area.
Work on a second primary building is set to begin this month.
Also on site is a two-storey accommodation building named “Kid D’Art Lodge,” with 23 air-conditioned rooms available for rent.
The school operates under the Thai curriculum with a focus on creative arts, English communication and critical and creative thinking “but with an international overview by the school’s academic manager and Harrow International School.”
Tim explains that the school was established in order to “create social change through education without placing a burden on families.
“The average family, including uncles and aunts, in Chaiyaphum earns 11,000 baht per month. About 60 percent of the 14 to 15-year-olds leave school to find work.
“Without sufficient education the students do not have strong future prospects.”
To date, five buildings have been completed, including the library, kindergarten building, primary building, administration building; office, meeting room, headmaster’s office, server, and nurse room.
There is also a community building for student lunches, kitchens, and community meeting area.
Work on a second primary building is set to begin this month.
Also on site is a two-storey accommodation building named “Kid D’Art Lodge,” with 23 air-conditioned rooms available for rent.
Beaumont Ruam Pattana School: Top 15 sponsors and supporters
• Allanzia Group
• Pace Development
Corporation PLC
• HYATT Group
• PDA
• EDP
• National Power Plant11 Co., Ltd.
• Daniel Reece
• Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group
• Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce
• British Chamber of Commerce Thailand
• Harrow International School Bangkok
• HSBC
• Bangkok Bank
• Ole Ketil Teigen
• Tony Bickford
www.tbp-foundation.com
• Allanzia Group
• Pace Development
Corporation PLC
• HYATT Group
• PDA
• EDP
• National Power Plant11 Co., Ltd.
• Daniel Reece
• Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group
• Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce
• British Chamber of Commerce Thailand
• Harrow International School Bangkok
• HSBC
• Bangkok Bank
• Ole Ketil Teigen
• Tony Bickford
www.tbp-foundation.com
