ThaiSA would like to thank you everyone for all your support during this past year. We might not have as many activities as other organizations, but every event we held was fantastic! It is always nice to get together in Thai "warm & sabai-sabai" environment. Starting since last Spring semester when we had the "Sport Day", the "Farewell Party", summer picnics, and then we had the "Welcome Party" in the Fall semester. The fundraising project was also successfully done (This is our first time to try it out--details will be given in our next event). And, of course, we are looking forward to serve you more in this upcoming semester!

The 2006 year cycle is about to end and the new cycle is about to begin. We wish you the very best to come to you in this new cycle. May all your troubles go away and smoothly solved and let the happiness fills your life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR '07!!

Best wishes,

Panyawat Chattanrassamee
President
Thai Student Association at the University of Minnesota
On behalf of all ThaiSA staff

P'Kwang is looking for study subjects for her dental class "Esthetics," especially those who need certain dental procedures like tooth-color filling (อุดฟันสีขาว), bleaching (ฟอกสีฟันขาว), or capping/crowning (ครอบฟัน). Subjects will need to participate 1-2 times a month, generally on Fridays or weekends. Anybody interested should contact P'Kwang the earliest time possible.

Please feel free to e-mail nawanan@rama33.com for P'Kwang's contact information, or contact P'Kwang directly if you already have her contact.

The Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday October 29, 2006. Don't forget to adjust your clock back 1 hour at 2:00a.m. this Sunday early morning.

What: Daylight Saving Time (DST) Ending
When: Sunday October 29, 2006 at 2:00a.m.
How: At 2:00a.m., change your clock back to 1:00a.m., gaining 1 extra hour.

For newcomers, this means on next Monday (Oct. 30), you'll go to school 1 hour late than if the clock were not adjusted.

For more details on DST, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time

Congratulations to Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, who has been appointed to be Thailand's new Minister of Education in General Surayud Chulanont's new cabinet since October 9th, 2006.

Dr. Wichit Srisa-an graduated Ph.D. from the Department of Educational Policy and Administration, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota in 1968. He has since then been involved in our nation's educational policy and administration and has been appointed to several major positions related to Thailand's educational system. He is well-known from his foundation and development of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and his political position as a chairman of the House of Representatives' Educational Committee.

Dr. Wichit Srisa-an received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota in 1986 and recently gave the Robert H. Beck Lecture to the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development on May 4, 2006.

Dr. Wichit Srisa-an is also the founder of the Thai Student Association at the University of Minnesota, our ThaiSA! Without his vision, there wouldn't be our ThaiSA. We congratulate him on his appointment and we're sure he will further improve Thailand's educational system.

P'Joe has posted photos from ThaiSA Welcome Party 2006 on 09/16/2006 here. Take a look!

BTW, special thanks to P'Joe who always provide us nice pictures of every event.

The reimbursement form is now available. All ThaiSA staff who have paid approved expenses for the Welcome Party, please download the ThaiSA Reimbursement Request Form and turn it in along with any receipts you have to the treasurer (Nong Gal) as soon as possible.

Thank you.