PSU Pattani Welcomes the Swiss Ambassador to Thailand on a Visit to a Pilot School for Mother Tongue-Based and Multilingual Education in Pattani Province
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, welcomed the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Kingdom of Thailand during his visit to observe classroom activities at Ban Tanyongpao School in Pattani Province, a pilot school implementing the Mother Tongue-Based/Multilingual Education (MTB/MLE) Programme. The programme has been developed with the contribution of PSU scholars to promote learning through the Malayu dialect and Standard Malay alongside Thai. The visit also served as a platform for exchanging views on advancing educational opportunities and empowering young people in ways that are responsive to the multicultural context of Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces, while contributing to sustainable development in the region.
On 9 June 2026, Asst.Prof.Dr. Bordin Waelateh, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Affairs, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, represented the University in welcoming H.E. Mr. Pedro Zwahlen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to the Kingdom of Thailand, during his visit to Ban Tanyongpao School in Nong Chik District, Pattani Province. The school serves as a pilot site for the implementation of the Mother Tongue-Based/Multilingual Education (MTB/MLE) Programme. The occasion also provided an opportunity for discussions on promoting education in the region, strengthening learners’ potential, and expanding educational opportunities in ways that are responsive to the linguistic and cultural context of the area.
Also joining the visit were representatives from the Pattani Provincial Education Office, Center for Propelling the Education in Southern Border Provinces, Pattani Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, and school administrators, all of whom welcomed the Ambassador and engaged in discussions on educational development in the region.
The MTB/MLE Programme is led by Dr. Uniansasmita Samoh, Associate Dean for Research Affairs and Excellence Strategy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, PSU Pattani Campus, together with his team, who play a key role in researching and developing the programme’s curriculum. The programme integrates the Malayu dialect and Standard Malayu into the learning process from Kindergarten Year 1 through Grade 6 alongside Thai, enabling students to use both languages naturally and develop familiarity with them. Through learning materials closely connected to the local context and way of life, students are encouraged to strengthen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The programme is currently developing educational songs and related materials to further enrich classroom learning.
The Mother Tongue-Based/Multilingual Education (MTB/MLE) Programme aims to improve learning outcomes among children in the region while broadening their future educational and career opportunities. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to enhance quality of life and contribute to the development of a strong and sustainable multicultural society in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces.
