1st Thanakorn Youth Swimming Championships enjoys good turnout

Students from the Redemptorist School for the Blind join in annual ‘Wai Kru’ ceremonies

1st Thanakorn Youth Swimming Championships enjoys good turnout

Songklod Kaewvisit

The first Thanakorn Youth Swimming Championships enjoyed a good turnout June 22 at Sathit Udomsuksa School in Pattaya City.

Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sports officiated over the opening ceremonies for the Thanakorn Youth Swimming Championship 2003 at Sathit Udomsuksa School Pattaya City.

Chanyuth Hengtrakul (right) and Thanakorn Srisukh (left), chairman of the Thanakorn Swimming Club, present awards to first, second, and third runners-up of the mixed 7-year-olds category, Chudapak Suwan-umpai, Worakanya Saengsuwo, and Chanya Kongchana.

Youthful swimmers go for the gold at the 1st Thanakorn Youth Swimming Championship held at Sathit Udomsuksa School.

The contest was open for young swimmers between 7 and 15 years of age in the Pattaya area, and was divided into 2 overall categories: singles and team. First, second and third places in each age group category received gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively.

The winning team was awarded the Sontaya Khunpluem, Minister of Tourism and Sport’s trophy.

Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sports presided over the competition, which was held to promote student fitness, aquatic sports and encourage students to compete at higher levels.

Special guest of honor Chanyuth said, “Children will benefit from good physical and mental health. They should also learn sportsmanship which means not only learning how to compete and win, but also how to lose with a good attitude. They should win with pride and lose with dignity, bond with others, and should be discouraged from drug use.”

Students from the Redemptorist School for the Blind join in annual ‘Wai Kru’ ceremonies

The annual ‘Wai Kru’ ceremonies were observed by students from the Redemptorist School for the Blind on the school grounds this past week.

This observance has been a Thai tradition for generations. During the ceremony students pay their respects to teachers and mentors who lead them through their life on the path of education.

Candles, joss sticks and beautiful flower arrangements are part of the ceremony.

School Headmistress Aurora Sribuaphan made a heart warming speech during the ceremony and read out the names of the graduates.

Father Bunjong thanked the students for a good day, and offered them words of wisdom to carry through the rest of the year.

Father Bunjong Chaira, director of the Redemptorist Center and Aurora Sribuaphan, manager and headmistress and other caregivers and volunteers received flowers and marks of respect from the students.

Once the ‘Wai Kru’ ceremonies were completed, teachers and Father Bunjong handed out graduation certificates to students who had completed their third year of high school as well as those completing their junior certificates. In all a total of 12 students graduated.

The Redemptorist School for Blind opened in 1987 and has conducted the traditional ‘Wai Kru’ ceremonies since 1988. This school cares for 168 visually impaired and blind children from kindergarten to university level. Both boarding and day students attend the school.

Once the ‘Wai Kru’ ceremonies were completed, teachers and Father Bunjong handed out graduation certificates.

It was a moving moment for everyone there.

People of all nationalities took part in the ceremonies.

12 students graduated and received their certificates.

The school band provided inspiring music during the festivities.

The Blind School students’ performance was full of meaning, and beautifully performed.

Being a part of this ceremony is a highlight of the year for the students, too.

Blind School students performed traditional Thai dance for their teachers.

Redemptorist School for the Blind students paid respect to their teachers this past week by performing the time-honored “Wai Kru” ceremony.