The Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Employment of Vulnerable Groups (OWPPEVG) is getting ready to welcome the 330 youth onboard the Fujimaru, which will dock in Thailand from November 18 to 21 as part of this year's Ship for the Southeast Asian Youth Programme.
OWPPEVG chief Kitti Samanthai said the ship, carrying representatives from 10 Asean countries and Japan, would be stopping at several countries from October 25 to December 16.
The ship will set sail from Malaysia, and visit Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan. Those onboard will take part in sports and culturalexchange programmes as well as stay with host families and go on field trips.
The department is preparing to throw a welcome party and arrange a meeting with the prime minister for the group on November 18. The following day, the youngsters will be taken to the Emerald Buddha temple and the Vimanmaek Palace, and on November 20 they will participate in activities with students from Khlong Pittayalongkorn School, Saipanya Rangsit School, Phathai Udomsuksa School and Thep Leela School. The youth will be living with host families for two nights.
Kitti is inviting families in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani or Samut Prakan willing to host young people to call (02) 651 6532, (02) 255 5850 extension 191. Applications can be downloaded from www.oppy.opp.go.th and need to be submitted by October 8. He said eligible families should have at least one young family member who can speak English or the visiting youth's mother tongue so they can explain Thai culture and way of life to the young guests.
Thailand has taken part in this programme 37 times before and hosted 1,200 youths, many of whom went on to become successful individuals, he added.