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Children get treated to a host of fun activities on Children’s Day 2002 in Pattaya
Vichan Pladplueng
This year’s “Children’s Day”, the nationally
recognized day focusing on children, was last Saturday, January 12, and
activities for the kids were arranged all over Pattaya offering parents a
wide selection of entertaining places to take the family.
 Holding
on at Sattahip Navy Base.
Children’s Day in Thailand sets aside a special day
to emphasize the importance of raising children with love and
understanding, making the day one children look forward to each and every
year.
The idea of Children’s Day first materialized in
1955, and was held in October each year until 1963 when it was decided to
move the day to the second Saturday in January, which became official in
1965. It has been commemorated each year since.
The nationally recognized day reinforces the support
required to properly raise young children into responsible adults by
nurturing, educating and directing children’s interest into socially
accepted behavior. The day’s activities are designed to provide children
and young people of all ages the opportunity to reflect on proper
behavioral patterns corresponding with personal development and supporting
positive growth in society as well.
 Children
young and old performed on stage for Children’s Day.
All around Thailand, activities focused on providing
children with enjoyable learning experiences aimed at developing healthy
social values in the community and inspiring them to learn.
A number of local businesses in Pattaya and the
surrounding area supported the day’s activities, including local
government offices and local police stations.
 Families
are dwarfed by the RTN Chakri Narubet.
Those organizing activities included the Alcazar Show,
Tiffany Show, the Million Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, Mini-Siam,
the tambon administrative organization in Nong Prue, Mike’s Shopping
Mall, Royal Garden Plaza, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, the Marriott
Hotel, the Pattaya Christian Federation, Central Festival Center Pattaya,
the two Tesco Lotus locations in Pattaya, the Banglamung Home for Boys in
Rong Poh, and students from Burapha University, assisted by members of the
Red Cross Association in Banglamung.
 90
degrees left! The little guy in the back spies his target.
Pattaya Municipal Police and the Banglamung Police
stations joined in arranging games and activities for young people, giving
away educational materials, food and drinks. Every sub-district also
prepared various types of entertainment and festivities, presents were
passed out and food and beverages provided.
The Thai Navy also opened up its gates at the Naval Base in Chuksamet
Port, Sattahip. The navy opened up a battleship to the public, which was
thoroughly enjoyed by the children and adults. Army tanks, artillery guns
and other military hardware were also on display, and an area was set up
for children’s activities.
Looking gooooood for
Children’s Day with a free haircut.
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Yummy treats
set up by Tiffany. |
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Handing
out balloons at the Pattaya Women
and Children’s Rights Center.
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Creative minds
at work at Central Festival Center.
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Central
Festival Center was filled to the rim
with families on Children’s Day.
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Having fun in
Nong Prue. |
Actions speak louder than words
by Dr. Iain Corness
A couple of months ago, the Pattaya Mail told
the world about the plight of year old twin baby girls, Ankana and Ajaree.
They had been born as Siamese twins, joined at the lower abdominal area.
However, it was not just shared abdominal walls - the girls shared the
same bowel. The initial operation, done as infants, had been reasonably
successful, in the fact that the girls could at least have separate
existences. However, the infant girls were each left with half a bowel
that was not attached to the anus, but discharging via a surgical wound
through the wall of their stomachs.
Through a situation where the parents of the twins were
unable financially to continue to take the girls to the hospital for
follow up and the surgical repair, the little girls were destined to a
life of abject misery, with foul discharging abdominal wounds which were
prone to infection and excoriation.
 Thanks
to an anonymous, and very generous donation, these beautiful twin girls,
pictured here with their parents, can now look forward to a “normal”
life.
Following our press publicity, a benefactor, who wished
to remain anonymous, came forward and asked me to administer a sum of
money he gave me to be used for any worthwhile charity cause or needy
cases. The Siamese twins came immediately to mind.
Now with the ability to pay for medical treatment, we
were able to send the parents and the twins to a hospital in Bangkok where
the repair operations were commenced. It was possible to connect up one of
the little girls’ bowel to the anus and close the abdominal wound. Apart
from now having a “short” bowel, she will do well. With the smaller
twin, it was not possible to complete the repair in one session, and
several trips have been required from Pattaya to Bangkok, but the outcome
is looking very hopeful. Within another two months, all the reparative
surgery should be over and she too can look forward to a “normal”
life, even though it will be also only with half a bowel.
Whilst the words in the Pattaya Mail may have been the catalyst,
it took the actions of one man to make it all happen, the anonymous
benefactor. As the caption says - “Actions speak louder than words”
and the twins and I thank you very much for your selfless actions.
Fair Properties’ Children’s Day treats bring smiles to the faces of the children at the Pattaya Orphanage
Chakrapong Akkaranant
The founder of the Pattaya Orphanage, Father Raymond
Brennan, along with the staff and children at the orphanage organized
festivities and athletic evens on January 12, which is Thailand’s annual
Children’s Day.
 Father
Ray Brennan (right), on behalf of the children at the Pattaya Orphanage,
proudly accepts a donation from Malai Buraphin from Fair Properties on
Children’s Day.
During the day’s activities, Robert J. Begraver and
Malai Buraphin, owners of Fair Properties Thai-Dutch, donated B55,000 to
support the activities on Children’s Day. Special treats and gifts for
the children at the orphanage were brought along and personally presented
to children who beamed with smiles at the wonderful presents.
It was heartwarming to see the delight on the
children’s faces when Malai and Robert handed out the gifts. Father
Brennan expressed his appreciation of this great generosity from two
people who understand how valuable quality time spent with children who
are almost overlooked by society really is. For Malai and Robert, the joy
of the children was the aim of the donation.
 Orphanage
children’s faces beamed with delight when Malai gave them toys and dolls
in celebration of Children’s Day.
Father Ray, as he is fondly referred to, views the athletic events
scheduled on this day of tribute to the nation’s children as a way to
provide camaraderie. The children of the orphanage get a chance to happily
work together on a common goal, both preparing and participating in the
events. He realizes that competitive sports provide healthy exercise but
also provide an environment which gives the kids a chance to experience
true sportsmanship. They learn to compete with vigor, but also gain
knowledge of how to accept losses along side victory.
Rotary and YWCA donate money, food and treats on Children’s Day
Chakrapong Akkaranant
The Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya and the YWCA donated
food, money and treats to Pattaya area schools to help celebrate
Children’s Day.
 Premrudee
Jittivutikarn (center), chairwoman of the YWCA chapter in Pattaya presents
a donation of 10,500 baht on behalf of the YWCA and the Rotary Club of
Taksin-Pattaya to Pattaya City School #8 director, Mr. Thanee Seesai.
The two benevolent organizations donated 10,500 baht to
cover the costs for gifts and treats for the children of Pattaya City
School #8.
Premrudee Jittivutikarn, past president of the Lions
Club of Pratumnak-Pattaya and currently chairwoman of the YWCA chapter in
Pattaya, presented the donation to Pattaya City School #8 director, Mr.
Thanee Seesai on January 11.
 Pattaya City School
#8 held sporting activities and fun events for the students on
Children’s Day.
In addition, the clubs arranged a school lunch for the
students at City School #8. They also donated lunches to a number of other
schools in the city.
The YWCA Pattaya Chapter and the Rotary Clubs have continually
supported the city’s school system, and each year provide funds to
arrange special activities for students on Children’s Day.
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