Peace Corps Thailand Turns 40 - New Volunteers for Thailand Sworn In
Peace Corps Thailand Turns 40
New Volunteers for Thailand Sworn In
April 19, 2002
U.S. Ambassador Darryl N. Johnson today presided over a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Peace Corps in Thailand. Ambassador Johnson, himself a former Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), who taught English in Lamphun nearly 40 years ago, welcomed former volunteers, Thai officials and other supporters of Peace Corps to his residence for the event.
In recognition of the ongoing work of Peace Corps in Thailand, Ambassador Johnson also swore in the 113th Group of Thailand PCV's during the anniversary event, bringing the total number of PCV's currently serving in this country to 60. He then presented new volunteers to the Royal Thai Government, represented by Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation Director General Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul. Roger Harmon, the Peace Corps Director, also gave opening remarks. Ambassador Nit Pibulsongkram, former Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, also gave remarks commemorating Peace Corps' work in the Kingdom.
All current PCV's are stationed in the North and Northeast regions working in the Integrated Education and Community Outreach Project, a collaborative effort with the Royal Thai Government, that began in 1977. The main goal is to help increase the capacity of teachers using student-centered and participatory learning principles.
Besides forging mutual understanding between U.S. and Thailand, the volunteers also assist in the improvement of knowledge about teaching English, health/HIV-AIDS prevention, and the environment. They assist teachers, students, and interested community members to improve and revive school-based resources libraries, help develop and implement community-based curriculum for primary school children, and assist community groups on knowledge and skills needed to implement community initiated development programs that address health and environment.
Concerning the 40th Anniversary, Ambassador Johnson said, "The experience of being a Peace Corps teacher was a defining one for me. The volunteer experience and the lasting warmth of the Thai people with whom I lived and worked in Lamphun and Buriram provinces nearly 40 years ago, has had a lasting influence on my world view, on my view of the country where I now serve as U.S. Ambassador, and on my view of my home nation. I'm proud to be part of one of the finest institutions created by the United States, an organization that continues to do important and relevant work in Thailand and around the world."
The U.S. mission has created a special webpage to commemorate Peace Corps Thailand's 40th Anniversary. Please go to
