Cub Scouts, Girl Guides & The Red Cross in Thai Schools
Scouts and Guides in Thailand can be traced back to the late 19th century when Prince Maha Vajiravudh established the Pala Scouts. This organization was the first in the country and heavily influenced the current Scout Movement.
In 1922, the Royal Thai Red Cross founded the first Scouting Association in Thailand, the Thai Boy Scouts Association. This Association was later changed to the Royal Thai Scout Association, and the Thai Girl Guides Association (TGG) was established in 1926.
FOUNDING THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT
The Scouting movement was founded in Thailand in 1911 with the formation of the Siam Boy Scouts Association. The Association was the first scouting organization established in Southeast Asia and had the full backing of the ruling Siamese monarchy.
Its primary goal was to instill discipline in the youth of the country, as well as to develop moral and spiritual values. The organization was modeled on the British Boy Scout movement and was founded by one of the earliest Thai Boy Scouts, Praya Phichai Viriyatabut.
The Siam Boy Scouts Association spread throughout the country, and membership grew steadily. King Vajiravudh fully embraced the movement and became the official head of the Association in 1912. He enacted a decree allowing the Boy Scouts to wear their uniforms on formal occasions and granted recognition and support for the organization.
Soon after, in 1914, he officially established the Boy Scouts of Siam, the modern-day Thai Scout Association, as the country's premier scouting body. The national Scout organization operates hundreds of Thai Scout groups nationwide and is a member of the World Scout Committee and the World Organization.
SCOUTS & GUIDES IN THAI SCHOOLS
Scouts and Guides in Thai schools typically meet once a week, and the specific day can vary based on the school's policies. Thai youth participate in these meetings and activities such as camping, hikes, and volunteering.
The school may also host workshops, competitions, and other activities related to the Scouts and Guides program. These weekly Thai Scouting meetings provide an excellent opportunity for students to bond, develop their leadership and teamwork skills, and get involved in their local community.
The Scouts & Guides movement has been at the forefront of community service initiatives, such as clean-up campaigns and environmental conservation projects. During national crises such as natural disasters, Scouts & Guides volunteer to help distribute relief items to affected communities and support those in need.
The organization also participates in international exchange programs and other social activities to promote international understanding and cooperation. The Association is a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and helps to develop girl guiding and scouting initiatives in Thailand with support from the National Association.
SYMBOL OF HOPE
Scouts & Girl Guides in Thailand provide a source of hope and optimism to many children, young people, and families in the country. The youth can develop the skills and values required to build their future, and the Association contributes to the country's development foundation.
The Scouts & Girl Guides in Thailand promote the values of national loyalty, service to the country, and honor for our flag and anthem.
They embody the Scout Law of Duty to God and country and obey the Scout promise to help others when possible. This symbol of hope encourages the young people of Thailand to strive for a better society.
DEVELOPING STRONG CITIZENS
The Scouts and Girl Guides in Thailand are committed to providing children and young people an opportunity to become responsible citizens and engage in meaningful activities that benefit society.
Members develop strong character traits such as self-confidence and teamwork through outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, and other outdoor adventures.
Members also gain a greater understanding of the environment and respect for each other and learn essential life skills such as survival and first-aid. The organization educates students on the importance of civic responsibility, leadership, and service to the community. The scout uniforms and the guide uniforms help instill a sense of discipline as they have to be worn each week that they meet, and the uniforms are comprised of various badges, scarves, hats, etc... Students must have the correct uniform; otherwise, they have points deducted.
The National Scout organization promotes excellence in the classroom and encourages members to pursue higher education. Through international exchange programs with international scouting units and other activities, members are also exposed to different cultures and ways of life, enabling them to better understand the world around them.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
The Scouts and Girl Guides in Thailand is dedicated to instilling a sense of environmental awareness among its members.
Scouts & Girl Guides actively participate in environmental conservation projects to protect and enhance the country's natural environment.
The organization also promotes responsible consumption and the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) to further its commitment to environmental conservation. This contributes to the sustainability of the nation's resources and helps maintain Thailand's natural beauty for future generations.
IMPACT ON THAILAND'S YOUTH
The organization provides a safe and fun environment for individuals to grow, learn, and develop lifelong values and positive character traits.
Through camping, trekking, and other activities, members learn to have a sense of adventure, self-reliance, and courage. In addition, members are exposed to different cultures and ways of life through international exchange programs to better understand the world around them.
Thank you, Teacher Helena, for the great pictures!
Remember to check out our social media links at the bottom of the page. Like & subscribe to keep up to date with everything new from us here at Kids English Thailand.