GIS Day in Thailand

GIS Day in Thailand

GIS Day in Thailand saw more than 3,000 teachers and students from over 1,000 schools across the Kingdom simultaneously exposed to GIS technology. National GIS Day events, with support from ESRI-Thailand, were held at seven strategically located university campuses (see map):

1.Upper Northern Region at Chiangmai Province: Chiangmai University
2. Lower Northern Region at Pitsanulok Province: Naresuan University
3. Northeastern Region at Khonkaen Province: Khonkaen University
4. Eastern Region at Chon Buri Province: Burapa University
5. Central region in Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University
6. Central/Western Region at Nakorn Pathom Province: Silpakorn University
7. Southern Region at Songkhla Province: Songkhla Nakarind

The GIS Day events were centered around a freely distributed CD-ROM containing digital data of Thailand and the world accompanied by the ArcExplorer viewing tool. Thailand data was generously contributed by TEI (Thailand Environment Institute). The world data was provided with the kind permission of ESRI. Co-sponsors of the event included the Geographical Society of Thailand, Thailand's Society of Surveying and Mapping and the nine universities where the events were held. In addition to the digital data and ArcExplorer, the GIS Day CD-ROM also contains powerpoint presentations introducing GIS concepts and important relationships between GIS, environment, people and the world. Thai language data dictionary and help documentation were also provided to aid users. Thailand's efforts at digital learning of geography took a major step forward with these GIS day events.

More than one third of the published 3,000 CD-ROMs were given out on GIS Day. In follow up activities, the remaining CD-ROMs are being distributed to requesting schools across the country. Since the only legal restrictions on these CD-ROMs deal with commercial reproduction, the CD-ROM contents can be placed on any teachers' or students' school or home computers. Students have shared new learning experiences with their family and friends. It is expected that the eventual recipients of GIS knowledge via this GIS Day vehicle should number approximately 10,000 lay people all over Thailand.

At various GIS Day event centers, students and teachers also had their initial hands on experiences with GIS computer tools, GPS and photogrammetry including other map making tools, as well as sample map products. Open seminars provided technical backgrounds to attendants. Some event centers also included quiz game competition activities based on knowledge about geographic information.

More information at www.esri.com