ภาคที่ ๒

9.  PEACE CORPS

THAILAND.
       In March 1961, the United States of America began a new adventure. The late President John F. Kennedy created the United States Peace Corps which was to consist of Americans who wanted to be of service to people in developing countries where middle level man power was scarce. These Americans were to live in the country to which they were assigned, earn salaries comparable to those of their counter part colleagues, and live unostentatiously among their hosts. This New Frontier ideal and program was greeted with much skepticism both in the United States and many other countries.
       The Royal Government of Thailand made a request for Volunteers in 1961 soon after the birth of the Peace Corps. Teachers and laboratory technicians were needed immediately and in January 1962. Forty-five young Americans arrived at Don Murng Airport to spend two years working and living amongst the Thais. There was much uncertainty as to whether Americans would be able to fulfill the goals set, since heretofore only o few foreigners had come to live in Thailand in the way that Peace Corps members intended to. The Volunteers had been trained. In the United States; they had learned something about Thai history and culture as well as the basic rudiments of the Thai language. Still, it was very natural that in January 1962 there would have been much doubt in the minds and hearts of all those who greeted these young Americans.
        Two years have passed. Peace Corps Volunteers in Thailand have come and left and more are still arriving. During these two years both Thais and Americans have learned that young people dedicated to an ideal can accomplish many things. Volunteers now live all over Thailand in big cities, in little towns, in isolated villages. They teach English, vocational agriculture, vocational education, physical education, political science; they work as laboratory technicians; they work as community development or rural resettlement workers in villages. They have become a part of Thailand.
       Foreign Minister Thanant said at Chulaiongkorn University when an honorary degree was bestowed upon R. Sargent Shriver, Director of Peace Corps, that although the Peace Corps Volunteers do .not have the material privileges granted to other foreign nationals by their various governments, they have .the greatest privilege a people can bestow a warm place in the hearts of the Thai people.
       While many people have helped to make Peace Crops successful, one of the most outstanding friends and supporters of the United States Peace Corps in Thailand is LUANG SUKHUM. This quiet curtly gentleman has always been ready and willing to be of help.
       Originally, Luang Sukhum had no official connection with the Volunteers since there were none assigned to work under his direct jurisdiction. However, when the Cabinet decided to appoint a permanent Reception and Orientation Committee for Volunteers coming to Thailand, he was selected to be chairman of the Committee, In that capacity he has personally directed the planning, reception, and orientation of every group of' Volunteers coming to Thailand since September 1962. No detail was too trivial, no effort too great to insure the most efficient and thorough reception and orientation of the newly arrived Volunteers. Luang Sukhum's impartial judgment and dedication have made possible the excellent programs which have oriented 225 Volunteers who have come to Thailand since the arrival of the first group. Not only has he personally presided at the lengthy and numerous meetings at which proposals for the welcoming and in country training of new Volunteers were discussed for his approval, but he never failed to be present at Don Muang Airport when these Volunteers arrived. As Master of Ceremonies, he was one of the first Thai officials to greet each Volunteer and he has done this inspite of the heavy pressures of his oilier duties and ill health. In fact on at least two occasions, he has gotten out of a sick bed in order to drive fifteen miles to the airport and stand in the hot sun to welcome now groups of Volunteers on their arrival in Thailand.
       Peace Corps Volunteers will be returning to the United Stales with an intimate knowledge of Thailand and the Thai People. But above all they will carry back with them the affectionate memories of having known people like LUANG SUKHUM. The Volunteers and the Peace Corps staff would like to take this opportunity to express their warm gratitude to this outstanding man and model citizen and to wish him the best of all things on his sixtieth birthday.