BIS following in British footsteps

British Ambassador to Thailand, Asif Ahmad attended the British International School’s Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2012 on May 25, and despite the age difference between Ambassador Ahmad and the Year 13 graduation class, he said that there were more than just a few similarities.

Jody Houton

Friday 1 June 2012, 02:20PM

Ambassador Ahmad gives the key note speech to the BIS graduating class of 2012.

“I was also the recipient of an international education and received a buffet of classes from all over the world. But when I completed my education, not only was it not recognised on the international scale, but it was also seen as rather odd, especially to my English friends who though that life started and ended in England.”

He went on to say that times were much different now, and as the influence of Asia gained on a global scale, an international education and mindset was much more beneficial than it previously was.

He said, “Many people regard your generation as lazy, withdrawn and self obsessed, but many people thought the same about mine with the hippies with their long hair and weird ways. Prove them wrong. Prove them wrong.”

In the Graduating Head Student’s speech, Panitnan Prajantabut said in reference to her and the graduating year, “We are a bit of a ‘bag of pick and mix sweets’, but that’s what makes us special.”

While many of the Class of 2012 will be going to universities around the world; in Europe, U.S and also Asia, some are choosing to remain in Thailand. No doubt their ‘unique and varied’ school education will stand them in good stead for the next, exciting step of their lives.

It certainly did for the British Ambassador to Thailand.