On 23 April 2007, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs presided over the Opening Session of the 2^nd Internship and Training Program for university students from Southern border provinces. The internship and training program is organized by Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during 22 April – 2 May 2009. There are 30 students, 20 Muslims and 10 Buddhists, from Southern border provinces joining the program this year.  

Later on 24 April 2007,  Mr. Sawanit Kongsiri, Deputy Foreign Minister, met with the students to exchange views on ways and means to help develop their local communities in Southern provinces and the important role of the Muslim youth in cultivating peace and reconciliation in the areas.   Mr. Sawanit emphasized that alleviating poverty and providing economic opportunities in the southern areas are the main priorities of the Government of policy. Government agencies and private sectors put a mutual effort to develop educational system and to increase job opportunities, aiming to improve family standard of living and to act as main driving force for community economic development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs always welcomes students from Southern provinces to join workforce of the Ministry in its task of cultivating relations with foreign countries, especially Muslim countries.        

The Ministry’s initiative was firstly materialized last year with aims to encourage students from Southern border provinces to have an opportunity to  exchange and share their experiences with Muslim communities and Muslim Students in Bangkok as well as to learn about the work of the Ministry as the representative of Thailand in cultivating relations and cooperation with foreign countries.  

During the program, the students will participate in many interesting activities including meeting with the Sheikul Islam, visiting Ayudhya Muslim historical sites, visiting Lum Sai Village - Muslim Community in Bangkok which is an exemplary community applying sufficiency economy and visiting the Royal Chitralada Projects.     In this connection, they will also have an opportunity to exchange their views and experiences with Muslim students studying in Bangkok and to do the internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.