Music teacher Saroj Bunmuang (back row, center) is
most proud of the Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan School band winning the HRH
Princess Soamsawalee trophy at the 6th Melodeon Music Fair to honor HM the King.
Jetsada Homklin
In addition to being an advisor on musical strategy for the Chonburi Provincial
Administrative Organization, music teacher Saroj Bunmuang is the man who brought
the marching band to Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan School.
He started the band five years ago when the school had no musical instruments.
He requested funds from the Chonburi PAO to purchase what was needed, which
initially encountered resistance.
He admitted it was quite tiring starting a marching band because the school
administration didn’t initially back the idea. However, he did not give up as he
had continued to look for support for organizing activities until he had finally
received support from the province.
The point of the band, he said, is to serve the community and develop activities
for students. Chonburi eventually supplied the funds in order to help youths
better utilize their free time, he said.
Saroj believes that a marching band requires a lot of patience for training. The
players have to sincerely love the art, harmonize, and be disciplined, he said.
Music helps shape youths to be creative, optimistic, confident and eventually
become quality adults in the future.
He said the Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan School band has about 100 members, which
some think the large budget required is a waste. But he argues that each
different instrument requires a teacher to train students. And, he said he
believes the activity is invaluable because talented youths are the future of
the nation. “I believe in all my students,” Saroj said.
He said he is most proud of the Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan School band being
awarded the HRH Prince’s Cup from the Melodeon Association. The band practiced
for the competition for more than five months, ultimately making a name for the
school, Saroj said.
As a Phothisamphan Phitthayakhan alumni himself, he was proud of making the
school famous. “I would like to tell my students that no matter what they do, if
they work hard, are determined and put in their all for what they do, they will
succeed,” Saroj said.
Ed’s Note: Saroj Bunmuang was recently the victim of a road rage
shooting (see page 4 for details). He survived, and we at Pattaya Mail wish him
a speedy recovery.
