The UNE Law School are excited to be hosting 4 undergraduate students from @Chiang Mai University. Pichsinee Chuenboonperm (Tam), Natiton Siritanachai (Jab), Jariyaporn Ritteepamorn (Ploy) and Mookkarin Vasinsunthon (Mook) are all thrilled to be visiting UNE for the first time. Over the next 6 weeks they will be immersing themselves in the Australian way of life and learning all about the legal system. The Australian legal system is significantly different to the Thai regime. Instead of following a common law system as we do in Australia, a civil law system is employed. The Thai system does have common law influences though and incorporates an informal doctrine of precedent.
Thai students outside Armidale Court House
Whilst visiting Armidale the students have spent time with Magistrate Michael Holmes as part of a visit to the Armidale Court House. In fact Magistrate Holmes noted how impressed he was with ‘the knowledge and expertise of the students.’ Magistrate Holmes explained the hierarchy of the courts in Australia and provided the students with commentary of what was taking place in the court. The students will also spend time at local law firms Moin, Morris and Schaefer and Clifton Legal.
Our visitors are lucky enough to be staying at Mary White College where they can immerse themselves in the residential college system. Their weekends will be filled with visits to national parks and local attractions such as Wollomombi Falls. They have already visited Sydney and Melbourne. They loved Bondi Beach and the Opera House and the historic trams in Melbourne.
Believe it or not the thing the Thai students are enjoying most about their visit to Armidale is the weather. Chiang Mia is Thailand’s second largest city and often regarded as one of the best tourist destinations in the world. It is consistently warm as well as even on its coldest days in the summer and rainy seasons, the temperature never drops below 30 degrees. Interestingly, the students note ‘living in the city is relaxed and slow.’ Apparently the pace of life in Australia is faster yet more disciplined.
Thank you Tam, Jab, Ploy and Mook for visiting us at the #UNELaw School!
