Thais urged to be model expats

THE Thai community in the country were called to be model citizens and to avoid unlawful activities during their stay here.

In his message to the Thai community yesterday, His Excellency Apichart Phetcharatna, Ambassador of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam, advised the Thais to be "good citizens and people working in Brunei and to avoid all the bad things such as drugs and alcoholic activities while staying here".

The ambassador was speaking on the sports day celebration organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Brunei on the occasion of the 80th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

"At the same time, they should engage into some kind of creative activity like sports and cultural activities so we can draw together the strength of the Thai people here," said the ambassador.

The ambassador also called for the Thai community to be kind with their Bruneian counterpart while working in Brunei.

Asked on the living conditions of Thai community here, the ambassador said there were no problems for them in terms of working and living.

"This (Brunei) is one of the best place to work for Thai workers compared to other countries. Brunei is very peaceful in terms of political and natural disaster," he said.

"So, Thai workers should try to take advantage of living and working here and make the best out of this condition," said the ambassador.

As the region moves steadily towards an ASEAN community in 2015, the ambassador noted there will be a free flow of workers among ASEAN countries.

"So we would like to see more Thai people here... And also, for Bruneians to work in Thailand. It should be two-way," said the ambassador.

"Now we are trying to promote awareness among the Thai community and Bruneians here to work towards the realisation of the ASEAN community, so they can be ready and prepare for the community in the next three years," said the ambassador.

With Brunei's SEAMEO VOCTECH and Thailand's Phetchaburi Rajabat University (PBRU) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday, the ambassador further said the two countries can expect to have more cooperation especially in terms of education.

The whole-day event yesterday was a gathering of the Thai community playing sepak takraw and petanque (a form of outdoor bowling) where various prizes and lucky draws were given out.The Brunei Times