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OEG Teach in Thailand: Spring 2021 - July Newsletter
Happy Monday evening, teachers! Can you believe it's been two months since orientation?! Most of you have adjusted to the new normal and online teaching, while also exploring the local gems around your neiborhoods. In this edtion of OEG Newsletter, we've got a few tips to stay sane during the pandemic, along with some COVID-19 restrictions updates, ways to learn new skills (including Thai), and much more!
COVID – 19 Restrictions Update
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise we could see stricter measures put in place by the Thai government in the coming days.
Until now movement was restricted mostly in the Bangkok region with the government requesting a halt to all unnecessary travel to those in the most affected regions. Now that the cases have been rising sharply in the outer provinces the restrictions put in place in the capital and surrounding areas may be placed throughout the country. Please continue to follow up with your coordinators for any province specific updates as they come out.
Restrictions Update: New provinces added.
As many of you are already aware Thailand has experienced an uptick in the number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks. Currently the Thai government is looking to extend the existing curfew and other tight restrictions in the greater Bangkok area as well as three additional provinces listed today.
The curfew remains in place from 9PM until 4AM in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom as well as the 4 southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkla and Yala. Three additional provinces will be added to the stricter measures including Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Ayutthaya.
What does this mean and how does it affect me?
The restrictions in these areas will include the closure of all stores in shopping malls except for retailers deemed essential such as supermarkets, pharmacies etc. A ban on dine in eateries will continue, while restaurants, wet markets and convenience stores must close from 8PM until 4AM.
Stay at home order:
While not strictly worded as such, the current restrictions placed by the government are requesting people to stay at home at this time only leaving to purchase essential items such as food, medicine etc.
New Transportation Restrictions:
As of Wednesday July 21th, all modes of public transport across the country have to limit passengers to half of their normal capacity. This will include all bus, rail and essential air travel.
Flight updates:
Flights in and out of red zones will cease operation as of July 19th.
Tips for Success During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 situation has escalated into a pandemic. This transition has been challenging for teachers and students alike; therefore, we wanted to share some tips on how to cope with the pandemic: ⠀
No matter where we are, OEG is here to support you. 
Orientation Sessions
We promised you the recordings of our orientation sessions, and here they are! This is a perfect chance to refresh your memory or go over things you may have missed. You can find them here:
Remark: To maintain everyone’s privacy, we have made the videos available only to OEG Teach in Thailand Spring 2021 participants. Please refrain from sharing the links or downloading the videos.
Thai Language Learning Resources
“คุณอ่านภาษาไทยได้รึยัง?”
Okay so maybe it’s a little soon to be reading and writing in Thai, speaking and understanding can be hard enough! How have your skills been developing over the last several weeks? Is it becoming easier to order food at your local market, or introduce yourself to some new people at your local café?
Everyone learns in different ways, but if you’re a bit more used to using apps for everyday life then you can try Mondly to help with your Thai.
It features daily lessons to assist with learning and can be easily used on your phone or tablet!
Learning New Skills
As much as I love streaming services, I don’t think I can watch another movie or show as last year I’m pretty sure I watched them all.
If you like to stay busy on learning new skills check out some of the following resources. Some can be used to brush up on simple computer skills like excel but others can be used to upgrade your knowledge on a variety of topics!
Skill Share: https://www.skillshare.com/photo-film
Google Digital Garage: https://learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage/courses?category=data_tech
Write Your Stories!
Other ways to stay busy during these times is to start your own blog. Many past and present OEG teachers have shared some truly remarkable material about their lives while in Thailand. If you need some examples of this please see two of our November pax Viviana and Kelly Plorin below
Asalha Puja and the Buddhist Lent
Asalha Puja Day:
Buddhists celebrate Asalha Puja (also known as “Dhamma Day”) on the full moon day of July, signaling the beginning of the period of Vassa (rainy season retreat or Buddhist Lent). Asalha Puja reminds Buddhists to express their gratitude to the Buddha and his teachings. It is one of the most important days in Buddhism as it marks the beginning of the Buddha’s teaching, for it was on the full moon day of July that the Buddha preached his first sermon to the group of five disciples who had previously been his companions. While listening to his discourse, one of the five disciples became the first ever to take ordination as the first Buddhist monk. Asalha Puja falls on Saturday, July 24th this year.
Vassa: The Buddhist Lent
Vassa is an annual monastic retreat practiced by Buddhist monks, which lasts for three lunar months from July to October. During the early days of Buddhism, the monks had no fixed abode, but wandered throughout the year and dwelt from place to place, often seek sanctuary under trees. However, during the monsoon season it was extremely difficult for the monks to travel as the paths were covered with water and mud and walking at this time along muddy paths could also damage the grass and kill or injure countless tiny creatures. Therefore, the three months rainy retreat, from the full-moon day of July to the full-moon day of October, came to be observed by monks on the recommendation of the Buddha himself. The Buddhist Lent or Vassa still exists today, and monks will not leave the temples to ask for alms as you would normally see every morning. Instead, Thais will visit the temples and make offerings to the monks.
Holiday Announcement
OEG will be closed for the following holidays in July:
King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday – July 28st
OEG is also now working from home, starting from July 12th until further notice.
Other Resources to Stay Informed
In order to stay up to date on your own, you can use the following resources:
PR Thai Government
Richard Barrow in Thailand
US Embassy Bangkok - Facebook
US Embassy Bangkok - Website
UK Embassy Bangkok - Website
Bangkok Post
Stay Tuned for something Special...
OEG is planning something very special for you guys, so keep an eye out for a virtual invitation from us in the upcoming days...
The Teach in Thailand Program - 2021 
oegteach - #oegteach
