Josh Dwight, '05
Accounting Major

Well, this is the final day in Koh Samui and as I sit here on a secluded beach, looking out at the blue-green waters of the ocean, with the sun wrapping me up in a blanket of amazing warmth. I glisten with sweat as I walk along the ever so perfect water. I can't help but reflect on what we have done on this trip.

Learning about Thailand's economy and culture and then witnessing it first hand is just incredible. Finding out that Prime Minister Taksin runs the country like a business. He uses a technique to create more jobs to stimulate the economy. Using a policy called OTOP -- One Tombon One Product. This policy gives each Tombon, group of villages 1 million baht, which is roughly $25,000 to create jobs. When I got a chance to meet workers of these Tombons, it was amazing to see this policy in action. I have learned that many of the Thai people think that Taksin is doing a good job and I will agree. There are a couple issues I don't agree with, but overall he is running Thailand well.

When many think about Thailand, they think about prostitution and sweat shops, but I do not. I think about the people that live in this wonderful country. I talked with a vendor on the beach the other day and he was trying to sell me a tattoo. I didn't want one, but I started chatting with the guy. I learned about his life. He works almost every day on the beach; sometimes he sells sometimes he doesn't. He learned his skills in high school, which struck me as very interesting, because when I was in Chiang Mai, the owner of this nickel-plating site, told me that he taught students at the high school how to craft with nickel. He told me that he teaches his craft at high schools because it will allow for students who can't afford a higher-education to have a job right out of high school. I believe that efforts such as these help improve the quality of life and promote community. Education is the key to improving any nation. Education will help improve the economy and Thai peoples' lives.

Talking, learning, sharing experiences with people is the most rewarding part of this trip. That is what makes this experience all worth while. That is enough rambling from me folks. I will now lay here in the sand as hard as it may be for all of you at home. Suwatdee Krap from the land of smiles.

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