Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tyler Meister | Key leaders and local dignitaries carefully lift the first pillar of a new school...... read more read more
Subscribe
PHITSANULOK PROVINCE, Kingdom of Thailand – Cheers and applause filled the air as the first pillar of the foundation to a new schoolhouse was carefully lifted into place during a pillar raising ceremony at Wattatakian School in Mueang district, Phitsanulok province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 27, 2014
The ceremony is a Thai tradition said to bring good luck and well-being for the school and community. This construction is one of four total sites currently being supported in Thailand by participating nations of Exercise Cobra Gold 2014, a multinational exercise that promotes regional partnership, prosperity and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Local contractors have been working with Marines with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Okinawa, Japan, and Thai soldiers with Mobile Development Unit 34 to ensure construction of the new school remains on track.
Numerous distinguished guests and village leaders attended the ceremony.
“This is my first experience with the U.S. military,” said Sonai, the district deputy director of education. “It is excellent to see the working relationship with Thailand and America.”
The Thai people look forward to working with the various nations of Cobra Gold in the future as they help improve the way of life for their people, according to Sonai.
Once completed, the new structure will service the community with multiple classrooms, a conference room and a multi-purpose room.
Suthasinee Promsit, the head of the community, joined her village leaders in thanking Cobra Gold participants for coming to the area and helping the community.
“I am very happy for our district and the improvements gained from the assistance of the friendly U.S. military,” said Promsit.
U.S. Navy Seabees built the first schoolhouse during Cobra Gold 1997.
Pisal Dhornchaisittikul, the schools principal, has served at the school for 20 years and was very pleased with the first schoolhouse that was built during 1997. He said he is always excited and pleased to work with other nations and witness the good from it.
Cobra Gold is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored exercise in its 33rd iteration. The Kingdom of Thailand is one of the U.S. government’s closest friends and allies in Asia. The U.S. has maintained strong relations with Thailand longer than any other country in Asia.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2014 02:35 |
| Story ID: | 120251 |
| Location: | PHITSANULOK, TH |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Cobra Gold 14 joint effort supports Thailand’s educational progress, by TSgt Tyler Meister, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
