Ha! Its only 34 miles. He might have done it.
he heads up the Asia Foundation
http://www.asiafoundation.org/Locations/thailand.html
which has offices in Thailand.
"For five decades, The Asia Foundation in Thailand has supported the country’s democratic institutions, including support for the drafting of the 1997 Constitution. Currently, the Foundation promotes informed, responsible public participation in local governance throughout Thailand, while ensuring mechanisms are in place to protect the rights of all citizens. Through its programs, the Foundation addresses a wide variety of issues, ranging from managing environmental conflict and combating human trafficking, to enhancing the quality of Islamic school education and improving governance at the local and national level. Additionally, in response to the devastation caused by the December 26, 2004 tsunami, the Foundation is assisting victims through legal aid programs, economic and community developmentprojects, orphan care, and volunteer coordination to assist the affected communities.
IMPROVING ISLAMIC SCHOOL EDUCATION
The Asia Foundation has been working with the Thai-Muslim community since 1961, helping private Islamic secondary schools (pondoks) reform their curriculum to ensure that Muslim students have an equal opportunity to advance economically and socially within Thai society. Constituting less than 5 percent of the Thai population nationwide, the bulk of Thailand’s Muslim minority live in the four southern-most provinces, where they are the majority. Education is a key factor in integrating these citizens into Thai society and the global community. The Foundation’s current focus is working with a core group of 10 Islamic schools in a program to further develop their capacity to provide students with skills necessary to prosper in Thailand’s competitive job market. This pilot program is divided into three major areas. The first focuses on modern pedagogy, facilitating a shift from teachercentered to a learner-centered approach to teaching. The second addresses the curriculum itself, enhancing it so that students are better prepared to compete for university admission and for employment upon graduation. Particular attention is given to English, math, science, and computer technology – subjects that are often very weak in Islamic school curricula. The third area involves strengthening the ability of students to operate effectively in the broader Thai and global communities. This element of the program replicates a highly successful project being implemented by the Foundation in Indonesia. The emphasis is on teaching life-skills required for living in a multi-cultural society. This orientation program is especially designed for Muslim students graduating from small religious schools who are moving to large urban centers for the first time either to work or to attend university.