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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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