Pattaya has many fine community groups and clubs that
work tirelessly for charity projects in Thailand. However, there are also
the unsung heroes who individually and unassumingly, quietly work for
social change and never receive public attention. Chuthipon Kamolnath
(nickname: Khun Rugby) is one of those people. He is using the popular
karaoke phenomenon to create singing contests and raise money for
charities that help fight against drug abuse.
Mostly likely many readers drove past the Dolphin
Roundabout near the Dusit Resort the last couple of months, and wondered
what that “Monkie” sign was all about, but never found the time to
check it out. A visit to the Monkie Karaoke will pleasantly surprise you.
Little
Rosarin who did not make it to Round 2, but her beautiful voice will carry
her far in the future.
The setting is a tropical garden that provides music 6
days a week. Not the loud, ear-splitting cacophony one usually expects
from a local karaoke bar, but lowered to a volume that allows customers to
converse with each other without shouting above the racket. In addition to
Karaoke rooms for those who get the urge to try out their vocal talents,
the Monkie also has a large menu including drinks, Thai and Western food.
Only
11 years old, going to Aksorn school, Moo 6 - and if there had been a
contest for the craziest hat she would have been the winner.
But this not the main reason Khun Rugby brought the
Monkie Karaoke to life. He had the idea, not only to give money to a
charity project but to involve as many people, kids, teenagers &
adults in it as possible and create a kind of contest. People he talked to
appreciated the idea but laughed when they heard he wanted pupils and
students to come and sing. They all thought Thai teenagers were “too
cool” or “too bored” or “too busy” or “too shy” to get
excited about things that take practice and dedication. But he is proving
them wrong.
He called the directors of schools 1 - 10 in Pattaya
and asked them if he could bring posters, talk to some kids and “sell
them his idea” of actively taking part in this fundraiser. And it
worked. He received so many application forms that the ‘Monkie Singing
Contest Against Drugs’ is now an ongoing campaign, and had to be divided
in 3 categories:
a) Children & Teenagers up to 16 years
b) Poor students from Pattaya Schools 1 - 10
c) Everybody else without an age limit
The prizes that can be won for each category are:
1st prize: 10,000 baht, a beautiful Cup and a gift
voucher from Monkie entertainment for baht 2,000.
2nd prize is 5,000 baht, a Cup and a gift voucher of
1,500 baht.
3rd prize is 3,000 baht plus a Cup and a gift voucher
of 1,000 baht.
Only
10 years old but not even a small sign of stage fever.
But that’s not all. Every winner will receive a
voucher for a free computer course, or English or music lessons. This is
really doing something positive for both the youngsters and the community!
The contest started on January 20th and after some
preliminary rounds, all the winners from each category will move on to
Round 2 on February 24th and March 3rd.
The first round was very well attended. Contestants
brought their friends, their parents, their siblings, and even their
grandparents. Monkie Beer Garden was almost too small to hold all these
people. They sat down, did last minute make-up touch-ups, went to the
bathroom - one could have cut the excitement in the air with a knife.
Beginning at 6.30 p.m., when all the judges (people
from Pattaya City Council & Pattaya Community) who also dedicated
their time to this cause had taken a seat, each performer sang two songs.
The
winners in the “under 16”category.
The judges were looking for power of the voice,
vibrato, clarity and resonance, precise tempo and rhythm, clarity of
melody, singing on-key, style and presentation on-stage, which included
the singer’s introduction to the audience, and the appropriate choice of
song for the performer.
It was not an easy choice for the judges. Everybody
came dressed up, well rehearsed and ready to rock n’ roll. Contestants
performed a variety of music from Thai pop songs to old folk songs or
ballads from Isaan. One 11-year-old girl from Aksorn School Pattaya wore a
beautiful light blue traditional Thai dress. She said, during a short
interview, that she loves music from Old Siam because it makes her feel
Thai. She is proud of her beautiful country. She said she chose the song
“Somtam” because Somtam is typically Thai and it is also her favorite
food.
Another little boy received a lot of praise because he
borrowed “stage clothes” from everybody in the family. But before he
started the 2nd song he excused himself to take off his
“uncomfortable” jacket... His whole family, including 5 siblings, was
there and watched him, standing on stage in his much too big shirt, tie
and shoes, but singing his heart out.
All 19 contestants of the evening deserve much praise;
not only for singing traditional songs, but some performers even addressed
the audience in both English and Thai when they saw there were Westerners
on the jury and in the audience. Charming Nipa, who is only eight years
old, performed a studied choreography and sang the pop song ‘Ay Ay Ay”
which means shy (which she certainly was not)! Suwat was the oldest
contestant. It was apparent he was having the time of his life and even
made it to the 2nd round.
The 2nd part of the evening after 9 p.m. was for the
adults, which means over 16 years. They also showed not only a lot of
spirit but also much talent and dedication. These young people must be
admired for taking part in this fund-raising event.
The finals will be held on March 10th in the Monkie
Indoor disco. Khun Rugby already has confirmation that people like
Pattaya’s mayor and deputy mayor, plus Chanyut Hettrakul, Sunsak
Ngampichet, Jitiphon Hompluem, Sangna Kijsamrej, who are members of
Pattaya City council, and the governor of Chonburi will attend the closing
ceremony and act as sponsors for this worthy cause. All revenues will be
presented to the Drug Abuse Prevention Center by Noi Sopin.
All
dressed up, made up, excited, under 16 and ready to give an interview in
front of a big audience.
Donuts
were hanging around for the hungry.
Mmmm,
cotton candy
An
unusual way to sell raffle tickets ...
