Gathering gets thumbs up at half time

Published on Jan 4, 2003

The 20th World Scout Jamboree yesterday reached the halfway mark with satisfactory grades, according to organisers.

Charuayporn Thoranin, jamboree director, yesterday announced that the event had broken the record for the number of participating countries, and had also been marked by some impressive activities.

She was speaking at a halfway briefing on the jamboree, which runs from December 28 to January 7.

She said scouts from 142 countries were attending the event, held in Chon Buri's Sattahip district - more than the previous record of 135, set in Chile.

She also noted another jamboree first - the fact that scouts had made contact with astronauts at a space station of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa).

"And we have also seen two scout couples - Canadian and Thai - getting married," Charuayporn said.

She said Thailand had co-established the Sattahip Fund, which would provide grants for 160 scouts to participate in the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Essex, Great Britain, four years from now.

"Now that we've reached the halfway mark, I must say the results are satisfactory," she said, adding that electricity, water and telephone services were available to all.

Charuayporn acknowledged some minor problems, such as copyright violations, but said they had all been tackled.

Meanwhile Richard Amalvy, 20th World Scout Jamboree spokesman, said he was pleased with the jamboree so far as the atmosphere and activities corresponded with scouts' interests.

Charuayporn said organisers would conduct satisfaction evaluation surveys of scouts and scout leaders, as well as volunteers, and that the results should be ready by Monday.

She added that the closing ceremony would kick off at 7.30pm on Tuesday and would feature stage performances and provide an opportunity for scouts to talk about their feelings. "We will also have a special show, or a surprise show, and fireworks," she said.

From January 7 to 10, foreign scouts will leave the camp by train, while Thai scouts will go home in air-conditioned buses, she said.

Benjawan Somsin

THE NATION