See Photo Gallery: December 10, 2011
AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust welcomed the volunteers to the main
campus on December 10 and thanked everyone for their commitment to
helping AIT at this difficult time in its history. The president then
joined the clearing work and later reviewed the progress of
rehabilitation work on a tour of the campus.
Gathering at the AIT globe landmark early Saturday morning, the
volunteers were informed of clearing procedures and given precautionary
information by expert AIT officials overseeing campus rehabilitation
work.
volunteers were informed of clearing procedures and given precautionary
information by expert AIT officials overseeing campus rehabilitation
work.
Fanning out, the volunteers equipped with protective face masks and
rubber gloves did their part to tackle some hardest hit parts of
AIT.
rubber gloves did their part to tackle some hardest hit parts of
AIT.
Joining the 160 staff of Sodexo already working on clearing and
recovery operations, volunteers representing various partners, parents
of second-year students and AITIS students, staff, faculty and alumni
made a real impact, AIT Vice President for Resources and Development
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai said.
recovery operations, volunteers representing various partners, parents
of second-year students and AITIS students, staff, faculty and alumni
made a real impact, AIT Vice President for Resources and Development
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai said.
Groups from partner universities such as KMUTT, Thammasat University,
Kasetsart University and Mahidol University also played a big
role. On Saturday, a large contingent of Thailand Department of
Forestry 70 personnel were active at key hot spots on campus, such as
at the devastated library. They also worked to clear fallen and damaged
trees and stumps littering the grounds.
Kasetsart University and Mahidol University also played a big
role. On Saturday, a large contingent of Thailand Department of
Forestry 70 personnel were active at key hot spots on campus, such as
at the devastated library. They also worked to clear fallen and damaged
trees and stumps littering the grounds.
On day one, six main teams of volunteers worked in-sync to wash down
filthy floors, squeegee out putrid water and remove clutter and debris
at the central Administration Building, Library, School of Engineering
and Technology, School of Environment, Resources and Development,
School of Management, AIT International School, and AIT Extension
and Outreach Buildings.
filthy floors, squeegee out putrid water and remove clutter and debris
at the central Administration Building, Library, School of Engineering
and Technology, School of Environment, Resources and Development,
School of Management, AIT International School, and AIT Extension
and Outreach Buildings.
They collected garbage from inside buildings to feed large piles
located everywhere across the campus' common areas for eventual
collection by heavy equipment and machinery provided to
AIT.
located everywhere across the campus' common areas for eventual
collection by heavy equipment and machinery provided to
AIT.
Ch. Karnchang sent 50 workers and 2 dump trucks on Saturday and
Sunday. Thai construction, trading and manufacturing group
Italian-Thai Development Plc. provided 3 dump trucks, one front
loader hoisting vehicle, 2 water trucks, and about 15 workers on
both days. Wongpanit Group contributed one crane truck on December
10, and Right Tunnelling Company sent a dump truck to assist
clearing operations on both days.
Sunday. Thai construction, trading and manufacturing group
Italian-Thai Development Plc. provided 3 dump trucks, one front
loader hoisting vehicle, 2 water trucks, and about 15 workers on
both days. Wongpanit Group contributed one crane truck on December
10, and Right Tunnelling Company sent a dump truck to assist
clearing operations on both days.
According to Sodexo's Stephen Andrews, the collected refuse was then
deposited at a dump site located at the back of campus where workers
segregated the debris into recyclable and decomposable
wastes. Others would be disposed of later, he said.
Prof. Worsak explained that hazardous and toxic wastes would be
specially separated and stored in safe containers for eventual
removal.
specially separated and stored in safe containers for eventual
removal.
Despite ubiquitous damage and a war-zone-like feeling pervading the
debris-scattered campus, there were healthy signs of progress and
displays of community volunteerism.
debris-scattered campus, there were healthy signs of progress and
displays of community volunteerism.
The ground level inside areas of both the AIT Community Center and the
central Administration Building were now clean, free of rubble and
ready for professional-level disinfection and sanitization work, Mr.
Stephens explained. The lower floor level of the auditorium,
however, was still under 25-cm of water.
central Administration Building were now clean, free of rubble and
ready for professional-level disinfection and sanitization work, Mr.
Stephens explained. The lower floor level of the auditorium,
however, was still under 25-cm of water.
At the library, a committed battalion of volunteers braved its musty
air and murky stacks sections to remove entire shelves of water-decayed
books. They then united to form a long human chain up a central
stairwell to move salvageable books upstairs for safe keeping.
air and murky stacks sections to remove entire shelves of water-decayed
books. They then united to form a long human chain up a central
stairwell to move salvageable books upstairs for safe keeping.
Also spotted was a group of ten engineering students from Kasetsart
University. Led by Dr. Suchat Leungprasert of the Environmental
Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, KU, the young
volunteers of first and fourth year undergraduates clad in T-shirts
with the message "Green Tees Environmentally Friendly" worked to clean
the heavy-hit environmental engineering labs. The students said they
heard about AIT's clearing day and wanted to help.
University. Led by Dr. Suchat Leungprasert of the Environmental
Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, KU, the young
volunteers of first and fourth year undergraduates clad in T-shirts
with the message "Green Tees Environmentally Friendly" worked to clean
the heavy-hit environmental engineering labs. The students said they
heard about AIT's clearing day and wanted to help.
On Sunday, five teams concentrated efforts on Dorms A - J, Dorms K - X,
the student villages 1, 2, staff and faculty housing, and remaining
facilities such as Interlab, the cafeteria, and the student union
complex.
the student villages 1, 2, staff and faculty housing, and remaining
facilities such as Interlab, the cafeteria, and the student union
complex.
According to Prof. Worsak, waste sorting and recycled wastes work
would be supported by Wongpanit Group and SCG. Hazardous waste
collection and disposal would to be supported by GENCO, he added.
would be supported by Wongpanit Group and SCG. Hazardous waste
collection and disposal would to be supported by GENCO, he added.
On the afternoon of both days, a number of buses with AIT students and
residents arrived from the temporary AIT Campuses in Hua Hin and Cha-am
as part of ongoing personal salvage operations.
residents arrived from the temporary AIT Campuses in Hua Hin and Cha-am
as part of ongoing personal salvage operations.
All who participated in the AIT Clearing Days on the weekend exited the
flood-impacted campus dirtied, wearied, but uplifted for having
participated directly in AIT's eventual recovery.
flood-impacted campus dirtied, wearied, but uplifted for having
participated directly in AIT's eventual recovery.
In the library, volunteers work to recover books for safe
keeping.