I have a great admiration for Mr. Chey Mongkol, a great Khmer Surin, who have single-handedly made efforts to revive the almost extinct Khmer language and culture in Surin and other parts of Thailand. His efforts should be encouraged, applauded and supported by all Khmers. The Khmer government and all relevant Khmer educational institutions must actively involve and assist Mr. Mongkol with whatever they can. The well-to-do Khmers as well as Khmer businessmen should do their bits. I must applaud the owner of a bookstore in Phnom Penh who has donated many books to Mr. Mongkol. I must also applaud some good Khmers in Sweden and France who have donated money to Mr. Mongkol's cause. My salute to you all.
For further information please visit Chey Mongkol's website at:http://www.khmersurin.org/
My name is Chaimongkol (Chey Mongkol) and I am a founder of the Khmer Literacy Project in Surin province which was founded in September 2006. In fact, I have never thought that I would have taken up this enormous task. I am a native of Kok Khan District of Srisaket, a neighboring provice of Surin province, just about 80 k.m. on the southern direction of the city. I grew up in a Khmer speaking family but it turned out that only me who is still speaking Khmer up until now. Surin and the northern communities of Dong Raek hills were known to the Khmers as the Khmer Sruin Khnong Phnom (the mountainous Khmer Surin). We are relatives because we speak and have the same culture. Unfortunately, our Khmer family were torn apart into 3 biggest parts and that is a painful history. Back to 2006 when I have decided to take up the responsibility, I did not even know how to finance the project. I just want to teach Khmer and I must admit that I am not a qualified teacher at all. I had spent a brief time with Royal University of Phnom Penh studying Khmer History but in 1997, I had to get back to Bangkok to work. Surin is perhaps the only place in Thailand where you can get a feeling of being a Khmer. You have places named in Khmer, although it is written in Thai such as Phum Thnay Trong (Noon village) and something like that. You can hear the accent similar to the speakers of the Khmer in Siem Reap of Cambodia. But, there is no Khmer Language school in Surin. It is strange but it is true. Many people I have talked to have also expressed their surprises. Years ago, Khmer language was not allowed to be taught in shcools in Thailand, but now things have changed. But, the only problem is there is no able or qualified teacher of the Khmer language at all in Surin. I do not claim to be one. Most impressive are village schools in Phum Chruy and Phum Puun. Phum Chruy is a remote village and it has no ancient Khmer shrine but Phum Punn has.
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