Assisting needy children in Thailand through alumni's acts of kindness

Dr Nurot Panich (MSE/2007), President of the NTU Alumni Association (Thailand), makes volunteer activities a key pillar of the alumni engagement programming for NTU’s 700 alumni based in Thailand.

Dr Nurot Panich has been the President of NTU Alumni Association (Thailand) since its launch in May 2008.

The alumni association celebrated its 15th anniversary on 4 November 2023 in Bangkok over a reunion dinner graced by Mr Harry Goh, Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the Embassy of Singapore in Bangkok. Mr Goh is an NTU alumnus of Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. Mr Goh highlighted the pivotal role the alumni association plays in providing steadfast support to NTU graduates in Thailand. 

NTU alumni in Thailand gathered for the Alumni Association’s 15th anniversary celebration in Bangkok on 4 November 2023.

Dr Nurot has led the association since it was launched in May 2008. He is the Managing Director at Smiths Detection (Thailand) Limited and a member of the NTU Alumni Council. 

Since its inception, the association has been actively involved in volunteering for community projects, focusing on orphanages.

 Dr Nurot Panich (far left) and members of the NTU Alumni Association (Thailand) with the children at the House of Blessing for Mother and Children, an orphanage in Bangkok.

In particular, it has been supporting the underprivileged community at Baan Munkong Suan Plu in Bangkok, offering educational assistance to over 20 children between the ages of six and 12. Volunteers engage in teaching basic English and life skills and donating stationery. 

The group also makes annual visits to the House of Blessing for Mother and Children, an orphanage in Bangkok, bringing not just meals but also joy and companionship to the children. 

Dr Nurot Panich (far right) and members of the Alumni Association brought food to share with children at an orphanage in Bangkok.

“In 2017, we held a volunteer event and our alumni sponsored and delivered 270 packets of chicken rice, known as one of Singapore’s classic dishes, to children at another orphanage in central Bangkok,” said Dr Nurot. “I am driven by the idea that our connection goes beyond campus borders. It is about giving back to the communities we are a part of.” 

In 2011, they assisted in renovating a school library after severe flooding in Bangkok and donated THB50,000 (approximately S$2,000) and flood survival kits to support the flood relief effort in 2021.

"I am inspired by the way our members join hands in making a positive impact. The alumni community wishes to make a difference, and we encourage each other to be a force for good, leaving a legacy in society that reflects our shared values,” said Dr Nurot. 

He added that while volunteering at the orphanages, the committee draws strength from the children who are always full of hope, despite their circumstances. The alumni association will continue to reach out to the needy in the community and strengthen the efforts that alumni put into volunteering.

Dr Nurot shared that in 2024, the alumni association plans to continue supporting underprivileged communities in Thailand. For example, members will be teaching needy children from the Bangkok YMCA Foundation (Protect a child project) (Phayao Centre) every Saturday.