Off to school with the Queen

The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles is hosting a series of activities through the month for Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday to showcase her benevolence.

Thanpuying Charungjit Teekara, the Queen’s private secretary and a director of the museum, says the focus of “Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Education” derives from her 1995 directive to Muslim community leaders and schools in the South.

Addressing teachers and citizens at Sala Bulan Thaksin Rajanives that autumn, Her Majesty pointed out that education – including the imparting of morality and occupational skills – plays a crucial role in shaping children and ensuring a strong country in the future. 

Thanpuying Narawadee Chaichanian, the Queen’s private secretary in education matters, says Her Majesty has always believed that a good education ensures general wellbeing. 

“She often met people who were poor and had many children. Some of the children were smart but lacked educational opportunities, so she offered her patronage with no commitment necessary to repay the money. Her Majesty only hoped these children would grow up to become good people, able to support their families and help in the country’s development.”

 

 

Kitti Petchsantad and his sisters were among those who benefited from the Queen’s kindness. An orphan, he received scholarship funding for more than 20 years and now has a senior position at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. “Without Her Majesty’s mercy I wouldn’t have the quality of life I enjoy today,” he says. 

The Queen also funded schooling for Meeloy Unfoey of the Pakakayor hilltribe and she now actually works in the Office of Her Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary. She’ll be giving a talk this month about her story. 

“As a Karen from a remote area in Omkoi district in Chiang Mai, I’m incredibly grateful,” Meeloy says. “When Her Majesty visited us all those years ago, I translated some words from our dialect for her, at her own desk. 

“Never in my life did I expect something like this would happen to me. What’s more important, though, is the message Her Majesty gives to the poor people who come to see her. She asks them things like ‘What do you eat at home?’ and ‘Are there fish?’ and ‘Is it cold at night when you sleep?’ or ‘Is there still a forest?’ It’s not just about living conditions but also thoughtful consideration about the environment and careers. She knows that mountain people rely heavily on the bounty of nature.”

Museum chief Piyavara Teekara Natenoi says this month’s activities are free for student groups up to bachelor’s-degree level. They can learn about the Queen’s efforts to promote extracurricular learning in a hall specially renovated to resemble one of Her Majesty’s Support Foundation villages in the Northeast. The traditional lifestyle of people fostered by the foundation will be depicted along with samples of the “local wisdom” found in the primarily agricultural communities. They weave in their spare time. 

Visiting students will be invited to “Find the Right Home for Each Doll” and play a game that illustrates “The Life Cycle of the Silkworm”. There’s also a collection of postage stamps on view.

Thanpuying Narawadee and other members of the private secretary’s staff will join scholarship students in giving lectures and conducting workshops. These include “Weave and Play with Silk Threads” with Prach Niyomkar from Mann Craft on August 23 at 10am and 1pm, and Thanpuying Pharani Mahanonda, Khunying Rattanaporn Chaejorhor and Meeloy Unfoey’s discussion “Story from Her Work Desk” on August 30 at 1pm. 

Anyone can attend for free if they register in advance, seating being limited.

“We believe these activities will contribute to the conservation of Thailand’s arts and 

 crafts, in accord with Her Majesty’s initiatives,” says Thanpuying Charungjit. “Our mission is to educate the public and collect information about costumes, textiles and local wisdom for everyone to share, children and adults alike.”

 

LEARNING CURVE

>>> The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles is inside the Ratsadakorn-bhibhathana Building at the Grand Palace.

>>> To reserve seats or find out more, call (02) 225 9420 or (02) 225 9430, extension 0 or 245, any day from 9 to 5, or go to www.Facebook.com/qsmtthailand.