No.2, APRIL, 2018

C MPASS12th International Earth Science Olympiad, Thailand

THAILAND

The Kingdom of Thailand or the "Land of Smiles" is located in the heart of the Southeast Asia. The country has 77 provinces with Bangkok as the capital city and center of political, commercial, industrial, and cultural activities. The country's shape and geography consist of four natural regions: mountainous areas in the North, rice fields of the Central Plains, semi-arid farmlands of the Northeast, and tropical islands and long coastlines of the peninsula South. Bangkok is always among the world’s top tourist destinations. The city is a true tourist paradise, proved by the growing number of travelers coming each year. Besides the city itself, Bangkok is also surrounded by many interesting provinces worth visiting. Rich diversity of cultures and traditions, tropical climate, and renowned hospitality make Thailand one the top tourist destinations in the world.

Thailand has three seasons: wet, cool, and hot. Depending on where and when you travel to Thailand, it is always recommended to check the weather before visiting as some areas are more beautiful in certain seasons.

Modified from The Tourism Authority of Thailand

Wat Arun: Bangkok

KANCHANABURI

The province of Kanchanaburi is approximately 123 km west of our capital, Bangkok (about two-hour drive by car), with a wealth of natural and historical attractions. Kanchanaburi is the third biggest province in Thailand in term of the area. The majority of the landscape is mostly mountains and hilly terrains. Important rivers are the Kwai Yai and the Kwai Noi which merge forming the Mae Klong River right at the center of the city. Kanchanaburi is the one of the most beautiful provinces in the country with its easily accessible waterfalls and national parks.

Erawan Waterfall: Kanchanaburi

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia between latitudes 5o 37’ N and 20o 27’ N and longitudes 97o 22’ E and 105o

37’ E and cover area of 518,000 km2. It is bounded to the west by Myanmar, to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, and to the south by Malaysia.

Thailand lies within a larger geological entity which is widely referred to as Sundaland, the continental core of SE Asia. The geological map shows Thailand divided into two distinct part. Occupying most of NE Thailand is a broad expanse of gently deformed Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. The rest of the country has a move complex and sinuous outcrop pattern in which every geological system from Cambrian to Cretaceous is represented, with intermontane basin of Cenozoic sediments, all with an overall north-south trend.

The main part of Central Thailand is covered by Quaternary sediments which conceal a number of basins formed in response to dextral shear on the Mae Ping and Three Pagodas Fault Zone systems during the Tertiary.

The northern, western, and peninsular regions of Thailand are dominated by Paleozoic rocks with small, deformed outliers of Mesozoic strata, and occasional small Tertiary basins.

In Northeastern Thailand, an extensive outcrop of Mesozoic rocks occurs on the Khorat Plateau. http://www.dmr.go.th

The Geology of Thailand

Reference: Ridd, M.F., Barber, A.J., and Crow, M.J., 2011, Introduction to the Geology of Thailand, in: The geology of Thailand. Ridd, M.F., Barber, A.J., and Crow, M.J. (eds). The Geological Society, London, pp. 1-16.

Are you ready for IESO2018?

More than 150 students have been interviewed for liaison positions and they will supervise teams during the IESO2018 week.

“Songkran” is a traditional festival in Thailand. The root of the word comes from Sanskrit, meaning ‘transformation’or ‘change’, to be specific, the transformation of the zodiac signs.

Songkran Festival has been the Thai New Year celebration for centuries. The festival symbolizes hospitality, love, and relationship in families, communities, and society as a whole. This celebration takes place in mid-Summer, while the sun moves to Aries on the astrologer’s chart. Therefore, water is used to cool down the heat, as well as to show respect and receive blessings from older relatives and pray for those who have passed away. As for community bonding, activities that take place during this celebration include building sand pagodas, making merit, and throwing water at each other. Moreover, as a part of the tradition, it is also a big cleaning day, which creates a sense of community.

In present, the date of the “Great Songkran” (Mahasongkran) or the “New Year” is set on the 13th of April, the date that the sun moves from Pisces to Aries, Songkran festival consists of 3 full days of making merit. Mahasongkran day or the New Year’s Eve falls on the 13th, Nao day or the day in the middle on the 14th, and lastly the New Year on the 15th.

“Happy Thai New Year, on the 13th-15th of April”

Songkran Festival

Copyright from The Tourism Authority of Thailand

Thai Basic Greetings and Phrases

Hello Sawatdee (krub) (male)

Sawatdee (kaa) (female)

How are you? Sabai dee mai? (krub/kaa)

Fine Sabai dee (krub/kaa)

Thank you Khob khun (kup/kaa)

Never Mind Mai pen rai

Yes /No Chai/Mai Chai

(you/ I) can Dai

can not Mai dai

I can not speak Thai. Pood Thai mai dai

do you understand? Kow jai mai?

I do not understand Mai kow jai

Where is the restroom? Hong nam yoo tee nai?

How much does this cost? Nee tao rai?

What is this? Nee are rai?

Good luck Kor hai chok dee

Sorry/Excuse me Kor thod

Goodbye La gon

See you again Laew phob gan mai

ENGLISH THAI

Contact : Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus

199 m 9 SangChuto Lumsum Saiyok

Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand

Tel: +66 (0)3458-5058E-mail: ieso2018@posn.or.th

DATE STUDENT MENTOR & OBSERVER

Wednesday,

Aug 8Whole day Arrival and Registration

Thursday,

Aug 9

Morning Opening Ceremony

Afternoon Excursion 1st Meeting, Discussion of tests

Evening Free Time and Dinner Free Time and Dinner

Friday,

Aug 10

MorningExcursion 2nd Meeting, Discussion of tests

Afternoon

Evening Free Time and Dinner Free Time and Dinner

Saturday,

Aug 11

MorningWritten Test Excursion

Afternoon

Evening Free Time and Dinner Free Time and Dinner

Sunday,

Aug 12

Morning Practical TestExcursion

Afternoon Practical Test and Group Activities

Evening Free Time and Dinner Free Time and Dinner

Monday,

Aug 13

Morning International Team Field

Investigation (ITFI) (visit)

International Team Field

Investigation (ITFI)Afternoon

Evening Free Time and Dinner Free Time and Dinner

Tuesday,

Aug 14

MorningFull Day Excursion

Afternoon

Evening Mentor Jury MeetingITFI Oral Presentation and ESP

Preparation

Wednesday,

Aug 15

MorningITFI Oral Presentation and ESP

Preparation

ITFI Oral Presentation and ESP

Preparation

AfternoonAttend ITFI Oral Presentation and

ESPITFI Oral Presentation and ESP

Evening Dinner and students performance

Thursday,

Aug 16

Morning Closing Ceremony

Afternoon Visiting Local Community and Shopping

Evening Farewell Party

Friday,

Aug 17Whole day Departure

Tentative Schedule

Photo by: Skyscanner