Wat Phutthisan School Establishes an International Volunteer Teacher Center in Preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community

Hoping for Further Support from Srinakharinwirot University

Reported by Samran Sompong (Facebook: Samran Sompong)

In 2015, Thailand was preparing to become part of the ASEAN Community. Every sector was therefore making extensive preparations in different ways. One of the most important areas of readiness was language proficiency—particularly English, as well as the languages of neighboring countries. Having only enough language knowledge to exchange basic greetings would no longer be sufficient.

Wat Phutthisan School, under the Sakaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, is an opportunity-expansion school providing education from Kindergarten 1 to Grade 9. The school is located in Village No. 5, Nong Mak Fai Subdistrict, Watthana Nakhon District, Sakaeo Province.

At the time, the school was directed by Mr. Somsak Thawonying and served 187 students. The surrounding community was predominantly rural, with most residents working in agriculture. Located approximately 50 kilometers from Sakaeo town and close to the Cambodian border, the school recognized the urgent need to prepare its students for the changing regional environment.

Bringing International Volunteer Teachers to Rural Students

Wat Phutthisan School recruited international volunteers to help teach English to underprivileged students at the school and within its network of partner schools.

The project was coordinated by Mr. Wichai Nonthakan, also known as “Teacher Jason.” It began in August 2012. During its initial period, the school welcomed seven volunteer English teachers across six groups, representing five nationalities: two Cambodian, two Chinese, one American, one Italian, and one British volunteer.

The international volunteers worked alongside Thai teachers to organize a variety of learning activities designed to strengthen the students’ English-language skills to their fullest potential.

Measurable Improvements in English Achievement

The results from the 2012 academic year demonstrated a significant improvement in the students’ English proficiency. The school’s average English O-NET score was higher than the average score recorded by the educational service area. Three students also achieved scores above the national average.

This represented a major accomplishment for the school. When compared with its examination results from the previous five years, the school had never before achieved an average score equal to or higher than the educational service area average.

Another indicator of the students’ progress was their participation in English-language competitions. For the first time in five years, the school sent students to compete in an English storytelling contest for upper-primary students and an English-speaking competition for lower-primary students.

The students won a gold medal at the regional level in the English storytelling competition and a silver medal at the educational service area level in the English-speaking competition. These achievements became a source of great pride for the school and reflected the commitment of everyone involved in improving English-language education.

Establishment of the International Volunteer Teacher Coordination Center

Following these positive outcomes, the project coordinator sought to expand the English-learning model and make international volunteer teachers available to more schools.

Wat Phutthisan School subsequently established the International Coordination Center for Volunteer Teachers, Thailand. The center was designed to coordinate international volunteers and systematically expand the project according to international standards.

The Sakaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2 and other schools recognized the potential benefits of the initiative for underprivileged students. Educational personnel therefore visited the school to observe its work and explore opportunities to expand the project further.

Mr. Sakchai Bannasan, Director of the Sakaeo Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, praised the initiative:

“Thank you for developing such a valuable idea. The project has improved the English-learning process, encouraged children to enjoy the language, and strengthened their practical English skills to the point that they have received awards. I truly appreciate this work and hope the concept will be expanded to other schools so that the children of Sakaeo can develop strong skills and gain meaningful experiences.”

Growing Interest from Volunteers Around the World

During the first semester of the 2013 academic year, 12 international volunteers applied to teach at Wat Phutthisan School and its partner schools. The applicants came from several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Philippines, Germany, Türkiye, and Canada.

The school therefore needed to prepare for the arrival of a growing number of international volunteers, particularly by strengthening everyday English communication among teachers, students, and community members.

In addition to allowing volunteers to support rural Thai students, the center organized activities that benefited the volunteers themselves. These included Thai-language lessons, traditional Thai dance, participation in Thai Buddhist traditions and cultural activities, and visits to important tourist attractions in Sakaeo Province.

The volunteers were greatly impressed by these experiences. Many later became part of the school’s international network and helped recruit additional volunteers for the center.

Creating Educational Opportunities Without Cost

The results demonstrated that the activities conducted during the first seven months greatly benefited students who previously had limited educational opportunities. The project therefore needed to continue and be developed further to achieve international standards.

The center aimed to attract knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers who were willing to contribute their time and abilities without financial compensation. Its long-term goal was to help students and teachers improve their English communication skills and apply their knowledge for the benefit of the country.

The International Coordination Center for Volunteer Teachers, Thailand, was founded through the vision and determination of Mr. Wichai Nonthakan. He wanted young students in rural Sakaeo to have opportunities to practise speaking, reading, and writing English with international volunteers from around the world—without any cost to the students.

That vision eventually became a reality. Children who had once lacked access to international learning experiences were finally given that opportunity.

Sixty-Nine Volunteers from 17 Countries in One Year

On 22 July 2013, the project celebrated its first anniversary. During its first year, a total of 69 international volunteers from 17 countries participated in language-teaching activities.

The volunteers represented Cambodia, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Nigeria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Singapore, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, France, South Africa, Canada, and other international communities involved in the project.

A total of 23 primary schools in Sakaeo Province participated in the activities. The center also planned to expand educational opportunities to additional schools in Thailand’s eastern region and eventually across the country.

The project team included Teacher Jason Nonthakan, the project founder; Celia Long, a volunteer teacher from New Zealand who played a key role in supporting the project; and Supachai Wisachai, the project’s volunteer webmaster.

Despite operating with a limited budget, the team contributed its time, personal resources, energy, and commitment without receiving financial compensation.

For everyone involved, the smiles and shared learning experiences of Thai students, Thai teachers, and international volunteers were the most meaningful rewards.

Promoting Thai Language and Culture to the World

In addition to benefiting students, the project served as a platform for introducing Thai language and culture to international visitors.

Through direct participation in school and community life, international volunteers gained a deeper appreciation of Thailand, its traditions, and its people. The project therefore helped Thailand stand proudly on the international stage while building friendships and educational networks across national borders.

Information, photographs, and stories from the project were previously available through the project’s website at www.freevolunteerthailand.org.

The Potential Role of Srinakharinwirot University

At a community and social-service seminar held at Bodhivijjalaya College in Sakaeo Province, Associate Professor Chanwit Thiambunprasert, then Vice President for Social Learning Networks at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), discussed the university’s commitment to academic services for communities.

The university received a budget of 68 million baht for community and social academic services in 2012. This increased to 115 million baht in 2013 and 116 million baht in 2014.

The increase reflected Srinakharinwirot University’s emphasis on community development under the government’s “One Province, One University” policy. Under this approach, universities were encouraged to support and mentor communities in the provinces where they were located or in nearby areas.

Srinakharinwirot University was responsible for supporting two provinces: Nakhon Nayok and Sakaeo.

The university recognized that increased public funding also brought greater responsibility. As the budget came from taxpayers, the university needed to listen closely to community needs, work consistently in local areas, and monitor its projects to ensure tangible outcomes.

Effective community development also required cooperation across faculties and organizations. The more extensively projects were integrated across academic disciplines and agencies, the greater the benefits for communities and the more efficiently public funds could be used.

The university’s community-service projects were designed to avoid unnecessary duplication. Participating units discussed and coordinated their plans before developing formal project proposals.

Continuous and Sustainable Community Development

Srinakharinwirot University had provided academic services in Watthana Nakhon District, Sakaeo Province, particularly in Nong Mak Fai and Nong Takhian Bon subdistricts, since 2007. In Nakhon Nayok Province, its work focused on Ongkharak District.

The university planned to retain its existing service areas while gradually expanding into additional subdistricts. This reflected a systematic strategy that did not abandon communities previously served.

Sustainable community development requires continuity, close monitoring, and genuine engagement. Before entering new areas, the university emphasized the importance of strengthening existing projects and ensuring that local communities received lasting benefits.

Associate Professor Chanwit explained that the university’s academic services should not only improve people’s quality of life but also enable communities to become self-reliant, live with dignity and happiness, and continue learning and developing independently.

If Srinakharinwirot University were to support the International Volunteer Teacher Coordination Center at Wat Phutthisan School, such cooperation could significantly strengthen the school’s preparations for the ASEAN Community and help expand educational opportunities for rural students.

Source

Sompong, S. (2013, September 1). Wat Phutthisan School establishes an international volunteer teacher center in preparation for the AEC and hopes for further support from Srinakharinwirot University. Kom Chad Luek Online. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://www.komchadluek.net/kom-lifestyle/167178