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Pattaya welcomes World Youth and Student Travel Conference delegates

Buddhists gather at temples for “Kao Tom Hang” ceremony to mark the end of Buddhist Lent

Pattaya hosts global youth tourism meeting

Donations and family day party organized to celebrate International Lions Day

Pattaya welcomes World Youth and Student Travel Conference delegates

Visitors treated to a display of culture at Bali Hai

Suchada Tupchai

City administrators and officials gave a warm greeting to 500 delegates from 60 countries as they arrived in Pattaya for the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) last Monday evening. A grand welcoming party was organized for the representatives on the grounds of the Bali Hai pier in South Pattaya.

As the hundreds of delegates paraded into the venue, it was already evident to most that this would be a night to remember.

The annual conference is being held in Pattaya to discuss a number of issues pertaining to youth travel throughout the globe and to develop this section of the travel industry.

During the festivities the delegates were treated to displays of traditional Thai song and dance, along with a colorful parade performed by local school students. Muay Thai demonstrations and traditional fruit carving were also a big hit with the delegates. Afterwards everyone dug into a hearty buffet dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the gracious hospitality.

The international delegates, many experiencing Thailand for the first time, were enamored with Thai culture, and their camera shutters were furiously clicking away, capturing memories that will last a lifetime.

Almost giddy with excitement, this delegate learns the intricacies of Thai “finger dancing”.

Tasty Thai treats - there are not many things that are much better.

This delightful young Thai woman flashes her wonderful Thai smile, something people in the “Land of Smiles” are famous for, as she shows the flexibility of her hands whilst demonstrating the Thai “finger dance”.

It was difficult to decide which was prettier, the intricate fruit carvings or the beautiful young woman displaying them.

One of the 500 delegates from 60 countries who arrived in Pattaya for the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) last Monday evening received a welcoming flower garland from Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat.

J. A. Van Putten, chairman of the ISTC executive board, Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and Jack Corona, FIYTO president exchange mementos as a symbol of lasting friendship.

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat offers a flower garland to one of the delegates to welcome her to Pattaya last Monday evening at the grand welcoming party on the grounds of the Bali Hai pier in South Pattaya.


Buddhists gather at temples for “Kao Tom Hang” ceremony to mark the end of Buddhist Lent

Suchada Tupchai

October 11 was an important day for Buddhists, as it was the full moon night of the eleventh month of the year, marking the end of Buddhist Lent, or “Auk Pansaa”. It also marked the “official” end of the rainy season, even although the weather might not necessarily agree.

October 11 was an important day for Buddhists, as it was the full moon night of the eleventh month of the year, marking the end of Buddhist Lent, or ‘Aok Pansaa’. It also marked the “official” end of the rainy season, even although the weather might not agree.

“Auk Pansaa” is also the day monks return to their normal routine of collecting morning alms, as the day signifies the end of their 3-month stay in their respective monasteries during the rainy season.

After the end of Buddhist Lent, monks return to their normal routine of collecting alms in the morning.

A great number of lay people gathered at Pattaya temples and in the neighboring districts to pay their respects. One of the many ceremonies taking place involved people placing steamed rice wrapped in coconut palm leafs, called “kao tom hang”, into monks’ alms bowls.

Devoted Buddhists put “kao tom hang” into several monks’ alms-bowls at the temple to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent.

The “kao tom hang” tradition takes place to mark the end of Buddhist Lent. Legend has it that in Lord Buddha’s day people crowded around in order to see Buddha after he had visited his mother at the Heaven of Indra (“Theworohana” in Pali). Buddhists have held this tradition annually ever since.

Devout Buddhists put food and steamed rice into the alms bowls carried by the monks.

This holy day is also an occasion for families to join in religious activities. Lay people gather at temples to listen to teachings, make merit, and give offerings.

The end of Buddhist Lent is an occasion for families to gather together to participate in religious activities and pass down traditions to future generations.

Many believe that doing good deeds during the months of Buddhist Lent will maximize their own “boon” (good fortune) in their current life, and this boon would be carried over to their birth in the next life.

Another tradition, the “Taak Baat Tae Wo” ceremony, is held annually on the first day after the end of Buddhist Lent, known as “Raem 1 Kham” of the eleventh month. Buddhist scripture tells us that when Buddha achieved enlightenment, he traveled to Heaven and stayed there for “one Pansaa”, or three months. When the holy months were over, he journeyed back to earth and landed at Sangkassa Nakorn. His trip down to earth was then called “Tae Wo Rohana”. Buddhists who knew of his arrival gathered to welcome him and give him alms.


Pattaya hosts global youth tourism meeting

The Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations (FIYTO) chose Pattaya to host the 53rd World Youth and Student Travel Conference this past week.

The issue of taxes, an important part of the industry that is sometimes overlooked, was well presented at the conference.

The conference was held October 12-18 at PEACH (Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall) at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. 500 delegates from 60 countries attended the event.

For those who do want to visit the world on a budget, these International Hostelling youth hostel booths from England, Wales, Australia and Japan had plenty to offer.

This year marks the second time that Thailand has hosted the conference, which is held in Europe and outside Europe on alternate years. The first time the conference was held in Thailand was 1992, when it was the first country in Asia to host the meeting.

Just because you’re young doesn’t necessarily mean you have to “rough it” every time, and this Elite Club Vacanze booth from Italy offered many fun alternatives.

Juthamas Siriwan, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said that the FIYTO chose Thailand for a second time due to the outstanding growth of the regional market and the suitability of Thailand’s tourism products for the youth market.

Learning the local language at your destination of choice can make your stay there a more enjoyable one, and was often a topic of discussion at the Sprachcaffe International “Let’s get together and talk!” booth.

FIYTO President Jack Corona, and Rod Hurd from the International Student Travel Conference (ISTC) presided over the opening of the event on October 13.

“The Moose is loose” in Canada, one of the world’s largest and most diverse destinations.

The meeting included the annual conferences of various tourism-related bodies, a seminar on the Asian Market Report published by the Pacific Asia Tourism Association (PATA), a sale market for organizations concerned with the youth tourism market, such as educational and language tours, and an exhibition of One Tambon One Product goods.

During the farewell dinner, the TAT promoted its Amazing Thailand Unseen Treasure program in line with its tourism marketing plan for the year 2004.

FIYTO statistics show that young people are spending more money on tourism than ever before, as well as enjoying longer vacation periods.


Donations and family day party organized to celebrate International Lions Day

Suchada Tupchai

Lions Club of Pattaya, led by President Apirak Ton, presented stainless water coolers and lockers to the Princess Sirindhorn Vocational College as part of the annual International Lions Day celebrations.

On behalf of the Lions Club, President Apirak Ton (left) received souvenirs from Yupparet Wongboonmee (right), director of Princess Sirindhorn Vocational College.

“We have continually provided various charitable donations and activities for the community over the years. These are classified into two sections: administration and funding. As for the administration, we have many activities to help underprivileged people and to support educational service, as well as contributing to HIV patients, gathering donations for victims and funding scholarships for poor students. We also arrange athletic activities such as golf, bowling, and soccer competitions for charity under our funding section,” said Apirak.

PP Lion Wiwat Pattanasin (left), president of the Lions Club of Pattaya, presented a 100% attendance medal to Lion Apirak Ton.

This year the club donated 3 stainless water coolers and 8 lockers, valued at a cost of 61,800 baht, to Princess Sirindhorn Vocational College. To say thanks, teachers and students presented souvenirs, which they had made themselves, to the group of Lions Club’s members.

Past President Wiwat Pattanasin (left) presented a 100% attendance medal to Lion Yongwit Kuewcharern.

In the evening, at Garden Sea View Resort, Lions Clubs of Pattaya, Naklua, Pratamnak, Jomtien and Sattahip jointly organized a party they called “Lions Family Day”, at which many local VIPs were guests of honor. A social meeting for members and families, the party was held to strengthen relationships among members.

President of Lions Club Jomtien Pattaya, Lion Peter Smith (left) presents a membership pin and welcomes new Lion Dennis Lippincott (right), who had just experienced his initiation ceremony.

During the ceremony, the Lions Clubs of Jomtien and Pattaya held an initiation for new member Dennis Lippincott and presented certificates to the former president, secretary and treasurer, who ably performed their duties during the 2002-2003administrative year. In addition, medals for 100% effort were awarded to members who attended every meeting during the year.

The Lions Club of Pattaya donated stainless water coolers and lockers to the Princess Sirindhorn Vocational College as part of the annual International Lions Day celebrations.

Past President Wiwat Pattanasin awarded a 100% attendance medal to Lion Naris Petcharat, who was governor of Lions Club 310c during the 2001-2002 administrative year.


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