World Refugee Day 2007 National Activities: Thailand

Awards were presented in Bangkok to the winners of the Secondary School Essay Competition on "Why Thailand should help refugees." Assumption University of Thailand staged a photo exhibition, where products weaved by refugees were on offer. Cultural shows were performed by stateless children.

The Bangkok Refugee Centre (BRC) on 20 June organized a quiz on refugee issues. On 26 June, a fund-raising drive was held at the Pridiphanomyong Institute in Bangkok. BRC, in collaboration with the Artist Society group, staged a musical concert.

WRD celebrations were held in the capitals of Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces. In Ban Don Yang camp, paintings by a teenager, a young man and an elderly man were exhibited. Their works reflected on their past, present and future, and the role of UNHCR.

In Tham Hin camp, Karen and Burmese groups gave traditional dance performances. UNHCR, NGOs and refugees took part in a goodwill soccer match and running races.

In Tak province, refugee youth took part in sports tournaments and poetry contests.

All four camps in Mae Hong Son province marked WRD on 20 June. The celebrations started with a parade by students and were followed by a wide range of activities. One of the highlights was a football match between students from Ban Mai Nai Soi and refugees.