It is high time the professors or Igbo lecturers/teachers begin to direct all their lectures in Igbo language to avoid extinction of Igbo language. It is the duty of all Igbo teachers in all level of education to wake up to this mandate and do the needful.

Dr..Emmanuel Nweke Okafor
Lecturer: Siam University Thailand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzzblJutm-c?si=IWmS7hjvoObaHgh4

extrovert6:
Great one!
I'm to attend a conference in Thailand, Bangkok,
Please I need the procedure to follow, and the documents required with the cost ,
Thanks

The best way to know the procedures is to visit the website of Thai Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. Only the embassy of Thailand has the official information you need. (http://www.thaiembassynigeria.com/eng/)

My tenure as the President of Anambra Community Association in Thailand (ASCAT) happened to be the greatest and one of the most valuable moments in my life in Thailand. I would have missed it all if I had not accepted the leadership when all the members came en masse to ask me to lead them. I was never interested because I had rejected their request to position me as the next leader of the Nigerian Community Association in Thailand in 2011. However my consistent rejection was almost creating the impression as if I am running away from the community activities which I had loved so much, then, I agreed. The point here is that I have realized that I would have missed the greatest opportunity in my life to learn how to practically coordinate a group of people with diverse interests. In all, I came out with a more positive outlook in life than ever. Thus I have every reason to agree that Anambra State Community Association in Thailand (ASCAT) is indeed an exemplary figure.

In the constitution of ASCAT, we boldly agreed and stated that we the Anambra people, domiciled in the Kingdom of Thailand, aware of our common ancestral heritage, and recognizing our lineage to the Anambra people of Nigeria, decided voluntarily to come together to consolidate our unity as one people, and solemnly resolve to constitute the Anambra State Community Association, Thailand (ASCAT). We went further to mention that our aim is to promote the legitimate interest and welfare of our members, and enjoy the fellowship of one another through membership, guided by a deep sense of trust, honesty, integrity, and love for ourselves and our homeland. Thus we gather every last Saturday of every month to affirm, to uphold and promote Anambra traditions and cultural values, while encouraging the highest levels of professionalism and respect for and from each member within the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand. Our members are mainly responsible Nigerians who are doing very well and are acting within the stipulation of the law of land in their various professional fields and endeavors. This is indeed and exemplary community lifestyle.

Therefore, fellow citizens of Anambra State, on behalf of the old executives, we strongly encourage you to continuously attend ASCAT meetings which are devoted to all the loving people of the Anambra, especially those of you that have optimistically recognized with the daily struggles we go through here in Thailand. We welcome you with open arms, with the hope that your experience in Thailand in conjunction with the association shall add to your concern about the hardworking, enthusiastic, sincere and friendly people of Anambra in Thailand. We pray that the resources of this “Land of Smiles” with her rich history will grant you all that you desire. May you be rewarded financially, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. We hereby inspire you to attend the monthly meetings so that you can maximize all the benefits the Anambra gathering in Thailand has to offer. It is our belief that the present executives will do better than past executives in order to move the association forward.

As an archetypal community in Thailand, Anambra is and will continue to be the “light of the nation”. Anambrarians in Thailand remain the “entryway” to almost all remarkable developments among Nigerians in Thailand. Great Nigerians in Thailand have emerged from Anambra people ranging from Lecturers, teachers, students, business people and footballers to mention a few. This goes to support the idea that Ndi Anambra are open minded, loyal and disposed to work with others for the common good. Anambrarians in Thailand have to be the best because we naturally promote meritocracy, a system that gives chances and rewards to people on the ground of their skills rather than their prosperity or superiority. Let our strength empower us than our weakness will do.

ASCAT is unlocked and presented to all Anambra citizens in Thailand who wish to move forward the welfare of the Anambra people. Our membership is based on individual registration and participation. The officers of these associations are drawn from able men and women with a history of long and dedicated service to humanity. Success is recorded due to professional input of Anambra office holders. This is the main reason for the rapid growth of Anambra Community and wide spread reputation all over the world. Permit me to extend my genuine admiration and appreciation to the founders and all the past officials in this association for building the strong groundwork that we are presently sitting on. They have indeed made a powerful and energetic organization. Ours is to continue from where they stopped.

Historically, our parents were good and charitable neighbors, creative, ingenious, resourceful, society builders; always expand and improve the community they reside in, extensively travelled, and always in connection with the village. Our goal is to maintain, sustain, and hand over these high principles to the next generation. We are not ready to fail them. In our effort to meet these goals, we are appealing all to join ASCAT, especially those of you who truly care for humanity, since our aim is centered on the improvement of the quality of life globally. ASCAT needs your skills in all areas because ASCAT is a new association. The association needs your assistance, educationally, financially, politically, and otherwise. Let us therefore look beyond Thailand and mic-politics of the day, let us think of the great state, the “Light of the Nation” and how we can work within this association to make Thailand a better place for all Anambrarians in order to live up to our name as, “The Light of the Nation”.

One of the objectives of this most essential gathering in Bangkok remains “to promote and foster cultural awareness, cooperation, respect and unity amongst fellow members and promote harmony, peace and cross-cultural understanding with the Thai people”. This association is needed today more than ever taking into account the amount of problems facing Anambra people today, particularly from our tattered image to lack of basic security, information and education which is responsible for the high level of joblessness, malfeasance and abject poverty. Reflect deeply and ask yourself, why are Anambrarians in Thailand? Then figure out the answer. I guess most of us would say, Ndi Anambra are in Thailand for a better and well improved lifestyle which Thailand provides for all.

Therefore, we are encouraging all Anambrarians in this Kingdom who share the ASCAT dream and procedures to join this great association so that we can all work together jointly to help develop Anambra and our Diaspora Community. Anambra State will continue to be ‘The Light of the Nation”, if most of us in Thailand that are performing dazzlingly in good health and are ready to throw in our knowledge and know-how in the growth of the State. The State belongs to all of us. We have no other place but “The Light of the Nation” President John F. Kennedy once said, “Think not of what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

I look ahead to your unalloyed participation as an active member of ASCAT and working with you in the development of Anambra and its future. You all deserve a lasting accolade. We really appreciate your moral support. As you are all aware that this association is a non-profit association, the new executives still need you financially to execute all their legitimate projects for the year both here in Thailand and in Anambra State, Nigeria. Permit me to extend my genuine honor, respect, admiration and appreciation to the Nigerian Ambassador, His Excellency, Ambassador Chukwudi N. Okafor for building the strong peaceful groundwork that many Nigerians are presently sitting on, in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand. He has indeed demonstrated to be an exemplary Ambassador. To cap it all the Federal Government of Nigeria conferred on him the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in recognition of his distinguished leadership and service to our country Nigeria. He is also “onye Anambra”.

My thanks also go to Mr. Emmanuel Nwufo, Mr. Ezeneche Uzochukwu, Mr. Emechebe Mobis, Mr. Paulo Ezimora, Mr. Olisa Ezeoji, Mr. Jude Okafor, Mr. Christian Okechukwu, Mr Egwuonwu Issac, Mr. Ugonna Anyadubalu, Mr. Ufondu Chuka, Mr. Peter Nwachukwu, Mr. Ikenna Ahaiwe and many others for their indescribable supports financially, spiritually and morally. My tenure would not have recorded the required success if not your support. Your support had encouraged me to take up the chairmanship of the constitution committee in 2011, which saw it that the constitution was written and finally published (and launched) to help guide the behavior and conduct of ASCAT members.

Therefore, my tenure was able to achieve much because of your support. My tenure also helped to reposition the association into the global scene because of your unalloyed succor. It is now incumbent on all the members to follow up the contact which my tenure had established with the Anambra State Government Awka. Anyone without a home or a community is equivalent to a demented fellow; therefore, begin to explore the link between ASCAT and the State Government in a manner that will encourage development in our State. My greatest joy is that I was able to complete my tenure as agreed on the first day the mantle of leadership was given to me. My next step will be to support the legitimate progress of the association by supporting the new executives to achieve what I never did in order to move the association forward.

In a manner typical of any responsible community, when I was at the helm of affairs, I was praised, admired, celebrated and applauded when there was the need. In the same vein, I was also chastised, rebuked and insulted when there was need. The essence of human nature and human community lifestyle are all demonstrated during my tenure, but, the love and support I experienced from all the Anambrarians during my tenure had left me to conclude that indeed Anambra State Community Association Thailand (ASCAT) is undeniably an exemplary community life. Peace in the Lord!

Emmanuel Nweke Okafor is the former President of Anambra State Community Association Thailand (ASCAT). He led the Anambra Community in Thailand from August 2012- October 2014. He is also a Supervisor in the Language Lab Center in Siam University. He can be contacted via his email address okaforemma@ yahoo.com.

The tenure of Ambassador Chukwudi Newington Okafor, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand has not only heralded several improvements amongst Nigerians living in Thailand but has also moved Nigerians in Thailand in an upward progression in terms of discipline, co-operation and the overall push towards rebranding and repositioning Nigeria’s image in Thailand. Prior to the arrival of Ambassador Chukwudi many Nigerians in Thailand claimed that the Nigerian embassy in Bangkok and her activities in actuality remained alien and unresponsive to the needs and demands of its diplomatic responsibilities towards Nigerian nationals living in Thailand. Many Nigerians had reported some years back that the mission, the vision, and the diplomatic actions of the Nigerian embassy in Bangkok lacked the required diplomatic tenets. By then, going to the embassy as some claimed used to be frightening for many Nigerians, in addition to the fact that the long wait and rude behavior of some of the officials showed that it was nothing but a diplomatic mess happening at the Nigeria embassy, Bangkok. As at the time, it was evidently clear that the relationship between Nigerians and the Nigerian embassy was that of acrimony and zero tolerance from Nigerians. But today, the case is different, the staff attitude towards Nigerians have improved as they have become approachable to serve Nigerians, thanks to the ‘Moses’ of our time, Ambassador Chukwudi Okafor.

The visionary leadership of Ambassador Chudi has helped to fix up the unpopular past of the rapport of the Nigeria embassy and many of the Nigerian nationals living in Thailand. On inception, he went on to gather all the Nigerians in Thailand under the umbrella of a “Town Hall Meeting” as a hen would gather her chicks under her caring and shielding wings. His leadership highlighted the need to build a concourse to serve as a necessary partnership link to move Nigerians in Thailand forward. It was clear that the ambassador is really composed to work for the welfare of Nigerian citizens in the Kingdom of Thailand. The writer has been privileged to interact diligently with the Ambassador and some other embassy staff and as such, can attest to their sincerity in doing their work with diplomatic tenets needed therein. Consequently, the present embassy officers no doubt, have as their supreme priority, the welfare of Nigerians. The prevalent idea that the embassy is a place to acquire only E-passport and also endorse a document is gone under this ambassador. The majority of Nigerians have demonstrated to be at home at the embassy given the fatherly admonition of the Ambassador. It is like going to share friendly ideas with your beloved family members.

There are noticeable areas in which His Excellency has done very well especially with the help of Mr. Raymond Brown and Mr. Gayus Jalo, two of the energetic and dynamic diplomats at the embassy. Hence, the response of the embassy towards Nigerian citizens has fashioned some noteworthy changes and attitude among Nigerians living in Thailand, especially, considering how the Nigerian embassy has given listening ear and has steadily shown concerns to the predicaments of the unhappy Nigerian citizens here in Thailand. Worthy of mention is the case of quick implementation of the treaty which nearly collapsed.

In addition to this, consistent efforts have been made to ensure that all necessary attention is given to Nigerians in Jail through judicial process in Thailand, courtesy of the Nigerian embassy. The ambassador in his humane gesture has expressed how deeply touched his feelings were on the dilemmas and circumstantial abandonment felt by some of the deported Nigerians. He has future plans to coordinate with the particular agencies that will be in charge of appropriate reintegration of the deported Nigerians into normal life in Nigeria. Again, the Nigerian embassy has been aware of the various reported mistreatments of Nigerians on the streets of Bangkok by some law enforcement agencies. The ambassador has made visible efforts including following up specific cases of victims of such maltreatment in order to allow the rule of law to be properly carried. All thanks to Mr. Jalo who has demonstrated to be a task master with a great sense of commitment and passion.

To add to this, the Ambassador has been handling a lot of issues including the Emergency Travelling Certificate (ETC) cases which is demanding to some of Nigerians living in Thailand. The embassy has made adequate arrangement to bring in the Nigerian Immigration officials to Thailand for the sole purpose of serving the needs of Nigerians who may have lost their passports or whose passports have expired. The ambassador since his arrival has shown to Nigerians in Thailand that the Nigerian embassy can be trusted once more. Nigerians in Thailand now receive a swift reply from the embassy which helped to get their problems solved and at the same time would help inculcate a notch of respect before some of the Thai authorities who may have been thinking that Nigerians have no embassy.

Still on consular matters, it is noted that some consular charges have been fairly affordable and beneficial for the Nigerian citizens in the Kingdom of Thailand within the period Ambassador Chukwudi Okafor steered the affairs of the embassy. Nigerians in Thailand can now feel belonged and feel proud to identify with their embassy. This strongly suggests that a degree of assurance and national awareness has been aroused among fellow Nigerians. Now some Nigerians can move around in the streets of Bangkok and can confidently say “I am a Nigerian”, all kudos to His Excellency and his aides at the embassy who made it possible. Indeed, “Oga Chudi” can make things work and he is making it work in Thailand. It is said elsewhere that “once a winner always a winner and a star cannot be shielded from its lights”. The National Honor of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) cordially conferred on him by H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an exercise in a rightful direction. The current Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand is like a candle light that illumines continuously from its position. His charismatic and diplomatic strips continue to follow him wherever he gathers Nigerians in Thailand. Other remarkable things he has done for Nigerian Community in Thailand in his tenure are:

1. Inauguration of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDOTH)
2. Inauguration of Nigerian Student Association in Thailand (NSAT)
3. Revival of Nigerian Community Association Thailand (NCAT)
4. Fatherly advice to other State Associations in Thailand
5. Rebranding the image of Nigerians via the social media
6. Census for Nigerian citizens in Thailand
7. Making the embassy to be the home for all Nigerians in Thailand

Besides, Ambassador Chukwudi had called an emergency meeting in order to revive the Nigerian Community Association in Thailand. The meeting of 3rd November, 2014 at the embassy was indeed a good move towards providing Nigerians in Thailand a more unified “community spirit”. The need for a credible Nigerian Community Association in Thailand cannot be over emphasized. Therefore, all kudos to His Excellency, Ambassador Chukwudi Okafor for this “communitarian calls”.

Having established these indisputable facts, the writer has the following to advice the participants at the ‘revival meeting’. The writer’s motive is to support the move for a better and stable Nigerian Community Association in Thailand. Therefore, this write-up suggests the following points:

1. Let all the members do thorough research, prayer and reflection before attending any meeting because the issue at hand as long as it has to be about Nigerians in Thailand needs a contextual and circumstantial approach. What happens in another country may not necessarily be applied to the issue concerning Nigerians in Thailand. It is diverse in all its form and nature.
2. Nigerians in Thailand appear to be the most dynamic and somewhat a sophisticated and a complicated group. Therefore it suggests that a sophisticated approach is also required in order to have a strong, stable and reliable Nigerian Community Association in Thailand.
3. The leaders of the recognized Nigerian State Associations in Thailand, Nigerian Pastors, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, Thailand (NIDOTH), Nigerian Business groups, and Nigerian Student Association should be allowed to direct the affairs of the Nigerian Community in order to arrive at a strong and stable Nigerian Community Association in Thailand.
4. The Yoruba Community in Thailand must not be allowed to exclude themselves regardless of what their reasons may be. Consequently, serious efforts must be made to let them take part in the deliberation because they are Nigerians too. They may have their own legitimate reasons but it is necessary that they should comply with the embassy’s mission to help shape the situations facing Nigerians in Thailand which they are part of.
5. To this effect, the writer believes that strong, solid, stable and credible Nigerian Community Association in Thailand can emerge if these various leaders instantly become the Executives of the Nigerian Community Association for 6 months or a year with the view to help put the association in a rightful direction in line with the good intention of the Nigerian Embassy. Any sudden election without systematic groundwork may likely produce another unstable Nigerian Community Association given its history and manner of existence. Election is not the problem but the notion of credibility. The fundamental question is: Why are Nigerians in Thailand?
6. The embassy has done well by selecting these responsible men and women who are (themselves) the possible real stakeholders as far as Nigerians in Thailand are concerned, but the fact is that, if election is called most of them will not like to contest and may likely go back to their various “comfort zones” thereby leaving the association to be led by those who may not have what it takes to move the association forward. Efforts must be made to encourage “comfort zoners” to come out in this revival and rebranding mission.
7. Thus, within 6 months or a year in which these leaders will handle the affairs of things, they will help to provide and produce a stable and democratic Nigerian Community Association in Thailand.
8. Then they must be able to achieve the following:
a) Help to bring back the integrity of the association by helping some of the Nigerians who have lost interest in Nigerian Community to regain their interest in the community affairs.
b) Help to rebrand and reposition the integrity of the association before the Thailand authority. This is a must do! We have Nigerians who are capable of achieving this without necessarily being elected as an executive.
c) Help to do all that is required to get the association registered in Thailand.
d) Help to revive and reactivate the constitution drafting committee in order to have guidelines to whoever will lead the association for good.
e) Help to create the enabling atmosphere for democratic elections.
9. All the leaders of the State associations and other groups’ leaders were formerly elected with the peoples’ mandate therefore if their representatives become the executives of Nigerian Community Association in Thailand for 6 months or even a year, it is still within the democratic principle.
10. Nigerian Community Association needs leaders that will help to clean the image. Therefore the attention must be given to this image problem at this stage. This method above will help to reduce unnecessary micro politics among Nigerians here. We need unified collective efforts now.
11. The best way to answer this Ambassadorial call of unification is to go by selection not election. Most credible Nigerians are particularly serious with their jobs and do not pay attention to the community issues because of the noticeable dirty games involved. Thus, selection method will enable the “required image clean group” to come out for the sake of our country – The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
12. The selection has already been initiated and coordinated by the embassy therefore our duty should be to cement it by suggesting to the embassy what is practical, given the situation in Thailand. We have a duty here!
13. Permit me to submit without prevarication that historically and chronologically speaking, Nigerian Community Association has an image problem which could be rebranded and repositioned if “Selective Method” is used. Of course, election can also be done in a selective way in order to achieve this goal. This is, if we are really serious and honest in tackling the problems here in Thailand. It is our common responsibility and duty.
14. Let us also be aware that by the conduct of international law, any association is voluntary, thus inalienable right of any Nigerian cannot be replaced based on attending an association’s meeting. It is also not diplomatically correct to deprive a Nigerian his/her due right as a Nigerian in Thailand because he/she failed to belong to the Nigerian Community Association in Thailand. UN CHARTER on Human Right is very clear on this and Nigeria is also a signatory to the said UN CHARTER. Article 20:
a) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
b) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
15. Whatever worth doing is worth doing well, legally, globally, nationally and otherwise. The Electoral Board should not get carried away but should remain focused with the relevant and reflective questions such as: Why is Nigerian Community Association in Thailand so messed? Why are most Nigerians treated like brute animals by some Thai police men and women? Why are we singled out amongst other African nations? How can we tackle the problems? Are the problems going to be solved after the community election? On what constitutional tenets is the said election going to be conducted? Why have we consistently conducted elections for the Nigerian Community Association in Thailand without an agreed and duly signed peoples’ constitution? These and many more questions should be able to enable the Electoral Board to work more effectively and efficiently. The embassy has done its best, ours is to welcome this clarion call with sincerity and to act within the law of the Land.

Let me recall a note of warning on those things that are capable of leading Nigerians in Thailand to failure as identified by the distinguished woman of God, Pastor Mrs. Mary Frank Owali which she states as follows: “Lack of sincere love for one another, self-extremism (Proud or I know it all), unnecessary competition (it must be me), inability to tolerate one another (my opinion must prevail), unforgiving spirit (refusal to let go), lack of sincere co-operation, Sabotage ( Sambalat and Tobias attitude)” and so on.

Other grievous things that may not allow Nigerians in Thailand to progress are well articulated by His Excellency Chudi Okafor in his address to the Nigerian Community at the Town Hall meeting of August 11, 2012, so he said: “Fellow Nigerians, before we conclude, let me speak to you on three more points I consider crucial, based on my experience in dealing with the Nigerian Community. One is the need to avoid poisonous gossips, rumours and character assassination between and among yourselves. In conflict situations between States, this is called propaganda and some States have succeeded in using it to deceive and even win wars, against their perceived enemies. In human relations, unfounded rumours and cheap blackmail have torn brothers/sisters, friends and communities apart. He said and you said, or pull him down Syndrome, is a very bad attitude that must not be allowed to continue in your relationship with one another and in your various associations. We must cultivate the attitude to tell each other what we feel and not what we heard, as you may wrongly take steps you will later regret. In such situations, one mistake will lead to another, and before you know it, the damage is done”.

As a result, this write up is also a wake-up call to those Nigerians who rarely get themselves involved in the affairs of Nigerian Community in Thailand to rethink and join hands together with the recent move to revive the community because the “price paid by the wise is to be ruled by the unwise”. The side effect of the unlawful activities of few Nigerians who bring shame to us all is indeed affecting us all irrespective of who you are, provided that the Nigerian name or passport is mentioned. This is the right time to face this reality and confront it once and for all. His Excellency, Ambassador Chukwudi has extended an olive branch to us. He has challenged us. Let us come en masse and support Pastor Mrs. Mary Owali as she pilots the affairs of things as the electoral board chairperson. It is a common statement that “whatever a man does, a woman can do even better”.

Conclusively, the proper time to act collectively and sincerely is now. Nigerians in Thailand have contributed to the Thai economy in an irrefutable fashion. Nigerians in Thailand have also contributed to the Thai educational systeml. Many Nigerians in Thailand are legally and gainfully employed. Uncountable numbers of Nigerians are law abiding citizens. Therefore, letting the activities of the few to continuously tarnish the image of Nigerian Community in Thailand is unfair and unacceptable. It is the writer’s considered view that all Nigerians in Thailand should come out en masse for this process of image cleansing even as we must work hard to discourage our fellow Nigerians who break the law to desist from such. A crime is crime irrespective of where it is committed. Thus a crime is unacceptable nationally and globally. Let us work for a peaceful society for we are all human. Peace in the Lord!

Emmanuel Nweke Okafor is a Nigerian professional teacher in Thailand. He is a lecturer in Siam University. He is presently a supervisor in the Language Laboratory Center in Siam University. He is also a student in Political Science Program in Politics and International Relations in prestigious Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand. He can be contacted via his email address okaforemma@yahoo.com

Thailand has a political problem but it is still under control. You may wish to read these articles about Nigerians in Thailand with the following topics:

(1) Little tips for Nigerians coming to study in Thailand
(2) Why are Nigerians in Thailand - the positive outlook

Little Tips for Nigerians coming to study in Thailand

Dear Fellow Nigerian Students,
After due reflection, I have decided to provide you with some tips about Thailand and some of the university requirements. I could not do this completely without first and foremost letting you be aware of what it takes to study, work and live in Thailand. Please note that the information given in this write-up are my personal opinion and some research opinions about life in Thailand and what it takes a Nigerian to come, study and live in Thailand.


About Thailand:
Thailand has common borders with Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Cambodia. The Northern part is often seen as the poorest part of Thailand. The Southern part of Thailand is the Muslim dominated areas with some form of political instability. Thai people are well known for their welcoming smiles. They are also hospitable people. Thailand is welcoming tourists. The country is one of the few countries that are not colonized. Thai is their national language. Good numbers of Thais do not speak English.

The Monarchy:
Thais love and revere their King and the Royal Family so much. As a Nigerian you are expected to show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Family. Avoid any comment/action that might be deemed offensive to the Royal Family.

Religion:
Religiously speaking, Thai people are very calm and respectful to all religions. The level of religious tolerance in Thailand is acceptable. Thai laws also tolerate other people’s religion. In religious places, you are expected to dress neatly and properly. You are also expected not to make too much noise. You should not wear shoes inside the temple that has Buddha image. There is a place you can take off your shoes. In all avoid any thing that will demonstrate a lack of respect in such a sacred place. It is directly the same compared to sacred places when visiting African Shrines.

Social Customs:
Thais greet in a prayer-like style which they called ‘wai’. Ordinarily, Thai people do not like to greet people by hand shake. Just as a young person greets the elderly one in our various Nigerian dialects, a younger Thai wais to an elderly Thai. When you arrive, you can easily learn this because it is very easy to learn. In Thailand, it is a bad manner to point your foot at a person. In Nigeria, it should be seen as nothing but in Thailand it could be seen as a bad omen. So it is preferable if you could use your finger, should you intend to point at any thing to a Thai. Thais do not like people to touch their head or even any part of their body. This is different if considered in Nigeria, it is seen as a sign of good relationship but in Thailand you try to avoid unnecessary hand touch. Similarly, if you watch Thais at any social gathering, you will notice that young Thais go to considerable lengths to keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones. They do this in order to avoid giving the impression of disrespect to the elderly ones.

In Thailand public show of love between boys and girls are normally seen as a rudeness or uncultured behavior. Of course, just as in every other country, you can still see young ones who do not keep to the rules. You are expected to follow the footsteps of those who obey the rules. If you intend to be rude, then you may likely find things very difficult in Thailand. It pays to be calm and keep a cool head and conceal your emotions as much as possible. Talking too much or even losing your temper while talking with a Thai may likely make the matter worst for you. For Thais, such a behavior is simply a show of poor manners. As a Nigerian, if you abide by the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Thailand, then, you are on your way to making more friends during your study. It simply goes to say that the more friends you make (if any), the more you will want to return to stay longer and study in Thailand without any problem from any angle.

From history, Thailand has a well-established hierarchical structure of status which begins from the Royal family and gets to everyone and everything else. So as a student, paying respect to your teachers should be a paramount important to you among other things. Again, Thais expect you as a visitor to dress appropriately in classrooms, and, in a formal public places. Hence as an undergraduate, you are expected to wear your school uniform while in the school vicinity otherwise you will not be attended to. It is good note that Thais are quite conservative and patient. Thais do not talk too much and love to be calm and allow things to flow naturally.

How to get a student visa:
Firstly, you need to be in contact with the University and then apply for the program of your choice. Then the University is expected to ask you to provide your educational credentials. If you are applying for undergraduate courses then you are expected to provide the following:
• Six passport photos
• Application Form
• Application Fees
• Copy of your WAEC / NECO / GCE / SSCE or EQUIVALENT
• Three letters of Recommendations
• Copy of your E-passport (the information page) if needed
• School fees

N/B: The lists are merely an educative estimate. Some universities request more while some request less.
If you are applying for graduate courses then you are expected to provide the following:
• Six passport photos
• Application Form
• Application Fees
• Copy of your degree earned and the transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendations
• Copy of your E-passport (the information page) if needed
• School fees

N/B: The lists are merely an educative estimate. Some universities request more while some request less. The application procedures differ from university to university. While you can apply for some programs simply by sending application form and copies of your transcripts per e-mail, others request the complete documentation with certified copies and proper photographs. Note that Nigerian documents are carefully scrutinized for the simple reason that some Nigerians may have faked things.
As soon as your application is accepted, you will be issued an acceptance letter, which is normally called ‘The Letter of Admission’.
This Letter of Admission supposed and should in fact be printed on the official letterhead of the particular university that has accepted you. The letter must be signed by the authorized person or his assigned assistant. The content of the letter might differ from university to university but in all it must show that the university accepted for a particular program and invites you to begin your studies at a certain date within a particular semester. Some universities will state the number of courses you will study.
In Thailand, the student visa is a one year visa. It is given to only to those who are qualified and actually intend to study. It is preferable if one pays for a complete school fees/tuition fees. You should try to register for at least 3 courses per semester


With the following documents:
• Letter of Admission or a letter from the school to the Thai Embassy,
• a photocopy of your E-passport (which must be valid for at least 6 more months),
• recent passport-size photographs,
• the NDLEA certificate,
• the police criminal record,
• the evidence of financial ability (bank statement),
• all your educational credentials,
• receipt of the school fees paid,
• accommodation assurance,
• Visa application form
• Visa fees
• ticket reservation

For those who are already in Thailand when they received the Letter of Admission, it is better and preferable to leave the country in order to apply for a non-immigrant ED visa from outside the country. While on tourist visa you can change it within the country without leaving to another country but the visa must be valid for at least 21 days in any case. As to the photographs, don’t carry or where anything that might change your face.
Thailand will give you a full one-year visa based on documents demonstrating that you are indeed ready to study at the Thai university.
Be informed, that your application alone doesn’t make you a student. Therefore, the student visa is only valid for 90 days when you get it the first time. You expected to report to the Immigration at the expiration of each 90 days. You must learn to practice this till you leave the country.

Working with a student visa:
Please you are not allowed to work with student visa. You are permitted to study. Should you intend to work then apply for Non-B visa with the appropriate documents with the company that had employed you. The idea working and studying with student visa will only land you in jail and eventual deportation according to Thai laws. Reportedly, there are cases of students who, for instance, teach in order to finance their studies. Please be aware that this is illegal even if doing so is possible.

Feeding:
There are so many African foods or Nigerian food in Thailand. Normally as a new student, you may not find it easy with Thai food, therefore, you are advised to keep on with Nigerian food or other African food until your stomach gets adjusted to the Thai food. However, be informed that the African food could be very expensive but not too expensive.

Academics:
Education in Thailand is stable. There is no strike action. You can choose to complete your studies as fast as you want provided you are able to pay for the studies. It is possible to complete your bachelor degree within three years. It is also possible to complete your master degree within a year. Ordinarily, Nigerian students do better than other students from other countries. Remember that you must try to make at least CGPA of 3.0 although at most instances some universities may overlook that. Studies here is done both on the weekend and on weekdays depending on the university and the on the program you enrolled in. Some universities include the text books as part of the school fees and therefore as you pay your school fees you are also paying for your text books. Most often classes are not too crowned and there good facilities.

Danger Points:
• Avoid doing your educational admission process with any agency except direct contact with the school or the university.
• Avoid any form of forging of documents of any kinds.
• Avoid telling lies in order to secure the visa.
• Avoid any form of short cut in order to get the visa.
• Avoid coming to Thailand to study when you have no sponsor.
• Avoid moving with a person of questionable character.
• Avoid avoiding the Nigerian Embassy in Thailand.
• Avoid any form of drug trafficking.
• Avoid any form of making money in an illegal way.
• Avoid thinking that you are still in Nigeria when in fact you are in Thailand.
• Avoid disrespecting your teacher.
• Avoid unnecessary argument with your teachers in the classroom.

Good Points:
• Just maintain your normal African value, norms and culture and you will join us to smile in the land of smile.
• It is not true that all Nigerians in Thailand are all in oddities. There are many Nigerians who are in Thailand with credible records. There are also many Nigerians who are in Thailand teaching, lecturing, and some are also doing genuine business.
• Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok should be your home because they are always available if you prove to be a good student. The Embassy is very helpful.
• Nigerian Student Forum is also very active and indeed very supportive.
• Nigerian Community Association is also available and ready to help.

From Emmanuel Nweke Okafor
Bangkok, Thailand.

I would like to know the process involved in getting the letter of exception from NYSC. What are the required documents I needed to submit? Who do I meet? where do I meet the person? I am planning to come back to Nigeria come March 2008. I appreciate your contributions.

vomme.

I am indeed enlightened on the NYSC issue. I am very greatful for all those who contributed to the questions. I would like to know how to request for an exception letter from the NYSC since I am among the aged graduate becuase I am 35. I am presently doing my graduate programme in Thailand. Thanks.