Our team - your support - are not simply “office staff” but education professionals with substantial experience in schools and universities in UK and in Thailand.
Dr David Lancaster
I have worked all my life in education – teaching in schools, colleges and universities, both in UK and overseas. I first visited Thailand about 25 years ago, working on a project in the Ministry of Education and have worked on several similar projects since – all in schools or universities. I went on a gap year myself in my youth so I know the benefits personally. And my daughter and son have both gone on gap years, so I have seen the benefits to them directly. From that, I also know at first hand the kind of concerns which parents have – and how to address any concerns. From my personal involvement I realised what a good experience it is for young people to spend some time assisting in schools or universities in Thailand and what a good help that would be to the schools/universities in helping students improve their English – a key priority of Thai students.
So, together with Chawalert, I established Gap Year Thailand to provide those benefits for both the volunteer and the school/university. I go to Thailand about 6 times each year – on Gap Year Thailand activities and also other work with schools and universities there. I am delighted that Gap Year Thailand is providing such a good experience for young people – both the volunteers and the Thai students.
Dr Chawalert Lertchalolarn
I was educated in Thailand and then at university in USA. I worked as a teacher in the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, from where I have recently retired. There, in addition to my work in teacher training, my role also included the International Relations activities.
I now do some advisory work for universities and other educational organisations in Thailand. Currently, I am mainly involved in e-learning for both higher education and school education in Thailand.
I live in Bangkok, but have travelled widely throughout Thailand, Asia, North America and Europe.
I work alongside David as the Country Programme Manager for Gap Year Thailand.
Dr Nichcha (Ann) Ritkhajorn
I have worked in teaching English in Thailand for the whole of my working life.
I was at school in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, and completed my bachelors degree there, then went to university in Los Angeles for my masters and doctorate studies.
I have taught English at several schools, colleges and universities in Thailand - specifically Bangkok International Language School, Keera-Pat School, Rungsri Wittaya School, Rajapark College, North Chiang Mai College, the British-American Language Institute in Bangkok, Mahidol University, Payap University, and Pathumthani University.
My most recent appointment was as Assistant Director of the Language Centre at Pathumthani University in Bangkok.
Alongside teaching English I have occasionally also worked as a translator and as a tour guide; and also as a teacher of Thai language to foreigners.
My hobbies are reading, watching news and TV programmes, movies, music, dancing and singing.
I have been responsible for organising placements overseas for Thai students, including to UK, so I know what is needed for overseas placements to be successful and enjoyable.
Dr Nuanpachong (Nuan) Udornpim
I am currently on maternity leave from teaching in the Faculty of Education at Burapha University, in Chonburi province in Thailand.
My main role currently is taking care of my son, so I have a particular personal interest now in early childhood education. I have been pleased to identify placement for Gap Year Thailand people in schools or universities which meet their particular preferences. Those are almost always at schools which I know personally, often where teachers or the headteacher has been a former student of mine.
I know from my visits to the schools and from discussions with the staff there that they have found the assistance from Gap Year Thailand volunteers to be a good help; and I know that the volunteers have had a very enjoyable time and been well looked after. I live in Bang Saen, a beach resort town in Chonburi province.
Dr Prachit Intaganok
I am head of the Faculty of Education at Surindra Rajabhat University, in Surin province. The Rajabhat Universities in Thailand previously specialised as teacher training universities, but (as in UK) they have broadened their provision in more recent years.
Surin province is famous for the elephant festival, elephant villages and also high quality silk weaving.
My wife teaches at a primary school in Surin. Our oldest son, Ekkawud, is at college, our daughter, Parntip, is at secondary school, and our youngest son, Chinorot, is at primary school.
Chris Thatcher
I was formerly a headteacher of a primary school in UK, and also President of the National Association of Headteachers. On taking early retirement I moved to Thailand, where I have been living since 2004, and which is now my home. I work on a part-time basis as an educational consultant, helping schools in Thailand (and in neighbouring countries – Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam).
I live in Bangkok, but know well many regions of Thailand.
As someone with a background in UK education and now working with schools in Thailand I know well the similarities and differences between UK schools and Thai schools and understand the ways in which people from UK can assist schools in Thailand and how they can best adapt to make a good contribution here.
Chonticha (Jang) Yurai
My name is Chonticha, my nickname is Jang, so please call me Jang.
My family is from Surat Thani province. I was born in the Muang district of Surat Thani. It is about 2 hours from Ko Samui and Kao Sok National Park. I grew up in Surat Thani, so I know the area well. I lived there until I was 17 and moved to Bangkok to attend Kasetsart University.
Surat Thani is a tourist holiday area in the south of Thailand. You might have heard of the island of Ko Samui, one of the most famous beach areas in Thailand, Ko Samui is in Surat Thani province.
I did my first degree at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, and at present am studying on the graduate programme at Chulalongkorn University, also in Bangkok.
My previous employer was Wall St. Institute School of English, probably the largest English language school in Thailand, where about 9,000 Thai students each year study English. I currently work as a research associate for an executive recruiting company.
For Gap Year Thailand, it is important, of course, that people in the team in Thailand speak English well. My TOEFL score in English is 108/120, so I will be able to communicate well with you and I will be able to assist you without any language barriers.
Sassayahmon (Simone) Thammakun
My name is Sassayahmon, but that is a bit difficult for British people, so I prefer to be called Simone.
I am from the far north of Thailand, from a place called Loei in the hills, in the area of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and next to the Laos border and the Mekong River.
I like to holiday on the island of Ko Chang, in the south east of Thailand.
My hobbies include travel and photography, especially of beautiful places in Thailand. I enjoy reading any kind of books in Thai or in English, so reading helps me a lot to develop my language skills in Thai and English. I really enjoy to see movies (Thai and foreign) and listening to music - many kind of music like classical, jazz, blue, rock and pop–rock.
I studied at school in Loei and then at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok. I have a bachelors degree in communications and a masters degree in education.
After University I worked as a teacher in early childhood education.
More recently, I have been working for Development Solutions, an educational organisation in Bangkok, run by two British people, and which specialises in teaching English to Thai people.
As an organisation and as individuals, we work with a number of universities in Thailand, including the Rajabhat Universities - the “teacher training universities”, which provide teacher training courses for Thai teachers who teach English (or other subjects) in schools. So those universities have good expertise (and good teaching materials) in teaching English as a Foreign Language. The universities which we work with include:
Surindra Rajabhat University - www.srru.ac.th
BangkokThonburi University - www.bkkthon.ac.th
Burapha University - www.buu.ac.th
You will have access to a “tutor” from the local university as an adviser (and as a help-line) relating to teaching English in a Thai school.
The above team ensures that you have:
- Good, professional, support about education in Thailand and teaching English there
- Mature people with the right contacts to assist if there are any problems or emergencies
- Good, experienced, advice about Thai culture, life in Thailand, and how to get the best from your time there
