Thai-language studies 'help forge closer ties with S Korea'

Thai-language studies 'help forge closer ties with S Korea'

Seoul: The Thai language has helped strengthen cultural and economic ties with South Korea, says Thai ambassador to Seoul Sarun Charoensuwan.

Speaking at the international conference marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Thai at Hankook University of Foreign Studies (HKFS), Mr Sarun said he would like to see more young Koreans enrolling in Thai-language study.

Language has acted as a bridge between the two peoples, especially as social and economic ties between the nations increase, said Mr Sarun.

The HKFS president Kim In-chul said Korean people joined Thais in grieving for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Students and teachers were among the first groups signing the books of condolence at the Thai embassy on Oct 14.

The two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of Asean-Korea relations next year and the 60th anniversary of Thai-Korean diplomatic relations in 2018.

Jung Hwan-seung, a professor at HKFS Yongin campus' Department of Thai Interpretation and Translation, said the department has produced more than 1,000 graduates serving the public and private sectors.

Twelve universities in Thailand have academic alliances with three universities in South Korea comprising the HKFS, the HKFS Global Campus (Yongin) and Busan University, said Mr Jung.

Korean and Thai teachers have also developed a Korean-Thai dictionary over the past decade which students call on in their studies. Busan University's Thai department was established in 1982 and the Yongin campus for Thai studies in the following year.

Tuition fees at Yongin campus are a little higher than at the main campus because students majoring in Thai language need to study up to 70 credits, compared to 54 at the main campus.

Mr Jung said students are interested in Thai as they are keen to work in computer games and medical tourism, while some have family members running a business either in Korea or in Thailand and would like to help out. Meanwhile, business conglomerates such as Hyundai and Samsung are major employers of Korean students majoring in the Thai language.

"Things are much easier now as we have more textbooks but learning the language requires understanding in the social context, so exchange programmes are key to helping students deepen their appreciation of the language," said Mr Jung, also director of Centre for Southeast Asian Studies.

Prince of Songkla University was the first Thai university teaching the Korean language as a major subject while Burapha University had the first Korean Studies Centre.

Somchai Sumniengngam, a Thai lecturer at Silapakorn University's Faculty of Arts, who has taught Thai at the HKFS twice, in 1996 and 2007, said some Korean students initially took Thai after they failed other majors.

But Thai-language study has now become a trend, he said, adding closer ties between both countries has helped forged enthusiasm among young Koreans in Thai.

"I heard the Thai major now has higher [entrance] scores as there's higher demand by students. But the number of the students is normally capped at 30 a year anyway," said Mr Somchai.

Lee Dong-hyang, 21, a HKFS second-year student, said she chose to major in Thai as she was born in Thailand and lived there for 18 years. "I think it could be a niche if I know another language," said Ms Lee, whose parents are working in Thailand.

People are often stereotyped: Thais are gentle and kind while Koreans speak in a loud voice, she added. "But once we know each other deeper, we get to know the reality, which is not always the same."

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